City of Homer

Planning & Zoning           Telephone        (907) 235-8121

491 East Pioneer Avenue                      Fax                  (907) 235-3118

Homer, Alaska 99603-7645                 E-mail             Planning@ci.homer.ak.us

                                                            Web Site          www.ci.homer.ak.us

MEMORANDUM 08-122

To:                   Mayor Hornaday and Homer City Council

CC:                 Walt Wrede, City Manager, Carey Meyer, Public Works Director

Through:         Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

From:              Julie Engebretsen, Planning Technician

Date:               August 28, 2008

Subject:          2009 Budget Requests

 

 

Introduction

At the meeting of August 21, 2008, the Commission discussed Parks and Recreation budget priorities for 2009. The following is an inclusive list of needs.

 

 

Priorities:

Staff

  1. Increase staff by one six month seasonal full time employee, so parks and recs maintenance projects can be accomplished – cleaning restrooms at Jack Gist, the Spit, noxious weed removal on city lands (like City Hall and Library),  and general library grounds maintenance. More work has been added in recent years without adequately increasing staff to do the work.
  2. Create a Parks and Recreation Department

 

 

General Budget Requests

Greenhouse

2009 is the last year the city has a lease agreement on the greenhouse at the high school. After that, the greenhouse must either be moved or a new one constructed. The greenhouse is used to grow plants for the city beautification project, particularly on Pioneer Ave. Budget for replacing or moving the greenhouse to the old high school building.

 

Jack Gist Park

  • Budget for and construct a restroom and concession stand. If money is not available, budget for port a pottie rental and seasonal staff to maintain it
  • Purchase and install two bike racks, one for  the upper field, and one for the two lower fields
  • Include money in a capital project to expand the parking lot next to the first field, using fill from the East End Road project
  • $16,000 to build a disc golf course
  •  

 

 

Karen Hornaday Park

  • Budget for art mural repair refurbishment
  • Purchase 8 concrete jersey barriers for the parking lot; will be used for other projects over time
  • Budget for the completion (or phased completion) of the drainage improvements
  • Budget for phased expansion and surfacing of the western parking lot
  • Budget for the phased surfacing of the northern part of the western parking lot (or put $$ into reserves)
  • Budget for completion of the eastern parking lot per the master plan
  • Put money into reserves or depreciation to build a new storage shed and new restrooms.
  • Install a bridge between the hospital and the park and constructed any needed connecting trails.
  • Hire a park planner

 

HART

  • Budget an additional $56,000 for the completion of Reber Trail

 

Other

  • Include money in reserves or depreciation for a new picnic shelter at Bishop’s Beach park (longer term project).
  • Budget $5000 a year in the Public Works sign budget for replacement of beach policy signs.
  • Put money in the reserve accounts to replace the water line to the restrooms at Ben Walters Park.
  • Redo the RV dump station at Public Works to allow it to remain open year round or for a longer season. There is demand to use the dump station in the spring before the ground and pipes have thawed.
  • Place money in reserves for Ramp 5 restrooms to replace the aging and heavily used outhouses.
  • Purchase another pick up for parks and recs use, a standard size pick up.
  • Build more covered picnic areas.