HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-13 Beautification PacketKENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2015
7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
2. AGENDA APPROVAL
3. ELECTION OF CHAIR & VICE CHAIR
4. APPROVAL OF MEETING SUMMARIES — None.
5. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Goals & Objectives ........................................................... ............................... Pg. 3
8. REPORTS
a. Parks & Recreation Director
b. Committee Chair
c. City Council Liaison
9. NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION —April 14, 2015
10. COMMITTEE MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
11. PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
12. INFORMATION
13. ADJOURNMENT
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING:
SANDRA — 283 -8231 OR, BOB — 283 -8261
[PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: 907 - 283 -7535 / FAX: 907 - 283 -3014
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MEMO*
KENAI, ALASKA
TO: Beautification Committee
FROM: Robert J. Frates, Parks & Recreation Director
DATE: January 6, 2015
SUBJECT: 2015 — 2016 Goals & Objectives
Attached for your review is an updated list of Goals and Objectives for 2015 -2016. 1 am also
including a worksheet for you to note any ideas you may have for consideration.
I believe all the ideas that were discussed during our September tour are listed on page 2 (Item
B. Beautification — Parks, Facilities & Streetscapes).
Please feel free to contact me at 283 -8261 should you have any questions.
Attachment
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City of Kenai
Parks & Recreation Department
Beautification Division
Goals & Objectives / 2015 -2016
A. STREET TREES
1. GOAL: Continue to work toward protection, care, and enhancement of the City's
urban forest.
BACKGROUND: Department has been actively increasing canopy coverage in
targeted areas throughout town these past eight years. Since 2007, over 70 trees have
been planted throughout town. This trend needs to continue into the future as does a
need for a formalized tree maintenance, assessment, and inventory process.
OBJECTIVE: To continue increasing the beauty and appeal of parks, right -of -ways,
open space and recreation areas within the City of Kenai.
ACTIONS /STRATEGIES:
• Continue to introduce a diversity of trees and shrubbery that will provide for
long -term coverage.
• Provide moose protection (cage) for all newly planted trees.
• Identify parks, right -of -way, open space and recreation areas for minimum
ten new plantings.
• Perform a tree assessment & inventory of all park and open space areas.
• Continue coordinating with State Forestry and local landscapers for meeting
staff training needs.
• Continue windshield surveys for identification of hazardous and dead trees.
• Incorporate limited tree plantings along Lawton Dr. ROW fronting
wildflower meadow.
• Remove dead tree at gazebo near Bluff Overlook area.
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B. BEAUTIFICATION - PARKS, FACILITIES & STREET
SCAPES
2. GOAL: Continue improvement of streetscape elements along prominent corridors and
park areas.
BACKGROUND: It is the desire of the Beautification Committee to add visual appeal
to various street corners and park areas, i.e., concrete pad, bench, flowerboxes and
landscape pavers. Other incorporated corners or locations may only include
shrub /flowerbeds upgrades, banners, or winter decorations.
OBJECTIVE: Increase functionality and aesthetics of targeted street corridors and
parks; improve maintenance capability.
ACTION /STRATEGIES:
• Stain flower boxes.
• Purchase two (2) benches for Blue Star Memorial.
• Purchase two (2) benches for Main St. Loop /Bridge Access intersection.
• Install bed of Red Poppies at LH Park Veteran's Memorial.
• Turf seeding behind Animal Control facility.
• Install bike rack at City Hall.
• Evaluate need/location for bike rack install at Visitor's Center.
• Add topsoil to 4x4 border along trail at City Hall.
• Install Community Garden sign.
• Re -stain wood chips (City Hall, Library, and Visitor's Center).
• Add rail -road timbers to Airport Triangle (Dahlia Bed).
• Repair damage to wildflower meadow and incorporate landscape design to
include trails, fencing and gathering location.
• Install repurposed pallet planter at Visitor's Center and Animal Control.
• Complete landscape brick installation at LH Park sign.
• Add winter lights to Animal Control facility.
C. INVASIVE WEEDS
3. GOAL: Continue to control spreading of invasive weeds in Kenai park lands and
right -of -way areas.
BACKGROUND: The expanding presence of highly invasive weeds is on the incline
statewide and in Kenai. Of particular concern is Tansy, Yellow Hawkweed, Orange
Hawkweed, Dandelions and to a lesser degree, Toadflax.
OBJECTIVE: Limit spreading of invasive weeds in Kenai park lands and right -of-
way areas.
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ACTION /STRATEGIES:
• Continue working with local Cooperative Extension Service and other
agencies.
• Continue with staff training needs on weed identification and reporting.
• Continue removal efforts either by chemical means or mechanical removal.
• Attend State of Alaska Pesticide Certification program January 26 -28 & 30.
D. VOLUNTEERISM
4. GOAL: Effectively utilize volunteers for planting, maintenance and weed pulling
activities.
BACKGROUND: Each summer the department utilizes volunteers to plant certain
areas. Additionally, volunteers from the court system are sometimes used to achieve
maintenance needs.
OBJECTIVE: Save staff time so resources may be spent performing other related
work. Effective utilization fosters community pride, builds important relationships and
provides a means of recreation and socialization.
ACTION /STRATEGIES:
Set date for volunteer plant day.
Continue promoting Adoption programs (Adopt -a- Garden, Adopt -a- Bench,
Adopt -a -Park, and Adopt -a- Trail).
E. ADMINISTRATION
5. GOAL: Continue education and training opportunities for staff (on- going).
BACKGROUND: The Parks & Recreation Department was recently recognized for
upholding OSHA safety standards. The department to date has been proactive with
acquiring specific training on hazardous tree identification/prevention and maintenance.
OBJECTIVE: Continue with utilization of webinars and other training opportunities
for staff.
ACTION /STRATEGIES:
Alaska Pesticide Certification — January 26 -28 & 30.
Continue exploring other training opportunities.
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6. GOAL: Develop and implement Parks & Recreation brochure to include information
on parks, trails and beautification related items.
BACKGROUND: Parks /Rec brochures are outdated and have not been used for
couple years. Brochures in past have been useful for part -time maintenance staff to
pass out to general public while performing duties in the field.
OBJECTIVE: Market and promote parks, beautification and recreation in Kenai.
ACTION /STRATEGIES:
Incorporate general information including adoption programs, parks, trails,
shelter reservations, etc.
• Purchase outdoor information boxes for trailheads.
• Develop and design draft for review.
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KENAI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
GOALS & OBJECTIVES WORKSHEET
A. Street Trees (Urban Forest)
B. Beautification — Parks, Facilities, Streestcapes
C. Invasive Weeds
D. Volunteerism
E. Administration
F. Other
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