Session 04-11, a Regular Meeting of
the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: DAUGHARTY,
POORE, GANN, HAMIK, TOLVA
ABSENT: WEAVER, MCCALLUM (both
excused)
STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE: BAECHLER
STAFF: DEPUTY CITY CLERK
JOHNSON
AGENDA APPROVAL
The agenda was amended to include Item
F - Poopdeck Trail under PENDING BUSINESS and was
approved by consensus of the Commission.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
A. Unapproved Minutes of
The Regular Meeting Minutes of
PUBLIC COMMENTS
UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
STAFF REPORT
A. December Staff Comments, From
Planning
Technician
The Commission expressed their
appreciation for the direction and plans they are now getting from Planning
Technician Engebretsen.
VISITORS
A.
Hans Klausner,
Urban Forestry
Hans Klausner
of the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District stated he was invited by
Commissioner Poore to discuss Urban Forestry.
He said the District has wanted to focus on Urban Forestry for some time
but it has not been possible due to limitations of staff. Mr. Klausner said
he began work for the HSWCD in July 2004 and just recently has been compiling
information on successful Urban Forestry programs in other communities. There are grants for large size projects including
tree planting and urban green space plans.
Mr. Klausner provided handouts that included
ideas for grant monies and suggestions from the Division of Forestry how the
programs can be fostered in the Homer area.
The ordinance from the City and Borough of Sitka for their Tree and
Landscape Committee was distributed to outline how it works.
Mr. Klausner
explained that Urban Forestry is a volunteer organization to assist and give
suggestions to the parks and recreation department on permanent green spaces
and park development projects. They work
in fundraising with the ability to write grants for Arbor Day project funding
and community education projects. The
committees get together to educate their communities about proper tree planting
and how to organize landscaping. It has
been the thought of the local district this is something the City of
Commissioner Tolva asked Mr. Klausner if he was aware of the Commission’s discussions
about
Commissioner Hamik questioned if the
Homer Garden Club had been informed. Mr.
Klausner answeredstated he
had hoped to be on the December or January agenda to discuss the idea with the
group. Willie Condon was suggested as a
professional tree maintenance technician and Sally Dodd-Butters for her
accessibility in obtaining trees. Mr. Klausner explained the District would like to see him spearhead
the project. He announced that he wouldn’t
mind sitting on the Board as an interested person. He believes qualified people with forestry
and landscape training could be found to fill the seats. He added it was difficult to find people
interested in policy and administration, as many people would prefer to plant
trees.
Commissioner Poore told Mr. Klausner it was good news to the Commission to know the
program is getting off to a start. Chair
Daugharty added an Arbor Day Community Park Day celebration is being planned
for
B. Kate Mitchell, Coast Guard “Sedge
Class” Buoy Tender
Memorial
(Continued to January Agenda)
PENDING BUSINESS
A.
End of the
Commissioner Tolva said she learned it
was too late to change the plan for the park.
She would like to see the park remain as natural as possible with a lamp
post, bench and sign. Mr. O’Brien with
DOT (Department of Transportation) is the contact person and Commissioner Hamik
is to call him to advise him that the Commission is very interested in being
involved in the final project.
End of the
B.
Roundabouts
Commissioner Poore provided
information on roundabouts and Commissioner Gann advised the Commission of a
good website with links and pictures: www.alaskaroundabouts.com He stated there are many benefits in
roundabouts including little maintenance, a decrease in collisions and serious
accidents, and the fact that they are more aesthetically correct.
Commissioner Hamik reported that she
had talked with Public Works Director Meyer and he plans to measure the
C.
Chair Daugharty advised each
Commissioner they are to pick an idea and report its cost at the January
meeting. Some of the events may be at the
parks, the Chamber of Commerce clean-up, softball games at the high school,
tree planting and beautification of the flower beds. Commissioner Poore said a brochure depicting
a cartoon about dog droppings in the park to educate and heighten the awareness
to the community was needed. It was
suggested the Homer Animal Friends may be willing to help. Some of the events for Community Park Day
are:
¯ Dedication
of
¯ Trash
can painting to involve kids
¯ Rotaract project
¯ Tree
planting
¯ Memory
trees
¯ Picnic
at the parks
Student Representative Baechler said she would contact members of Rotaract, Chair Daugharty is to bring a Resolution to the
January meeting, and Commissioner Tolva is to call Derotha
at the Chamber of Commerce about Community Park Day.
D.
Park Survey
There was no information available on
the Park Survey.
Park Survey is to be continued to January.
E.
Work List
Commissioner Poore said she would do
an informal bike rack survey. Commissioner
Tolva said she may take a grant writing class and could focus on a grant for bike
racks.
F.
Poopdeck
Trail
Commissioner Hamik reported that Dave
Anderson had talked with Leo Vait and he would like
to be involved in fixing the Poopdeck Trail sign in
the early spring. Mr. Anderson will
coordinate the repairs with Mr. Vait and Ms. Hagerty,
Parks Maintenance Coordinator.
COMMISSION
BUSINESS
A.
The Karen Hornaday
Park Master Plan of August 1998 was reviewed by the Commission. It was noted that a more accurate map was
needed.
POORE/HAMIK – MOVED TO REQUEST THAT AN
ACCURATE UP-TO-DATE MAP OF
VOTE:
YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
The Commission requested that a new schedule for Commission
representation at the City
B.
Election of New Officers
Commissioner Poore said she remembered
the Vice-Chair would rotate into the Chair position after some years of
training, and at this stage she is not ready for the position. Chair Daugharty advised that his term on the
Commission was up, but he would consider serving for an additional year if the
meeting time was moved forward.
POORE/TOLVA – MOVED TO CHANGE THE
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION BYLAWS
FOR THE MEETING TIME TO BE MOVED TO
VOTE:
YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
GANN/TOLVA – MOVED TO ELECT CHAIR DAUGHARTY
TO CONTINUE AS CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER POORE TO STAY ON THE COMMISSION AS
VICE-CHAIR.
VOTE:
YES: HAMIK, GANN, DAUGHARTY, POORE, TOLVA
Motion carried.
C. Trails Committee
Commissioner Hamik reported the
Committee met on December 14th with two members of Rotaract in attendance.
They provided history of their group and would like to be involved in the
Non-Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan (NMTTP). Mrs. Hamik said their first task (thanks to
Mrs. Engebretsen’s suggestion) will be to review the model
trail easement language in the assessment report of the NMTTP. The Trails Committee plans to attend a Rotaract meeting with an outline of the NMTTP. Keven Doniere from DOWL Engineers gave the Trails Committee
suggestions about the NMTTP as well as funding sources. The next Trails Committee meeting is
scheduled for
Commissioner Tolva responded to
Planning Technician Engebretsen’s request to appoint
members for the Trails Committee. Ms.
Tolva said the Trails Committee has been kept to an informal group of citizens,
with Carole Hamik, Margaret Seeley and herself as co-chairs. Keeping the group small allows things to be
done that may be harder to accomplish with the requirement of a quorum and
vote. She said it is not a board or
commission, just a committee.
Commissioner Hamik agreed that they would like to see the Trails
Committee remain informal. They will make
recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission to formalize.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A. City
(approved)
and November 22 and
(unapproved)
B. Commissioners Schedule for City
Representation
C. Memorandum from Parks & Recreation
Commission,
Re:
Support for Community Schools Program
D. Homer Boulevards
COMMENTS OF
AUDIENCE
COMMENTS OF
COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Gann
thanked Chair Daugharty and Vice-Chair Poore for taking on another year in
their jobs. He said it is a big task and
they both do great jobs.
Student
Representative Baechler agreed with Commissioner Gann
and said thank you for doing a good job.
Commissioner Hamik
affirmed that Chair Daugharty has done a fantastic job for many years and Vice-Chair
Poore has stepped up to the plate in such a short time. She added Hans Klausner
did a great job and raised the Commission’s awareness. Mrs. Hamik thanked everyone and wished all a
Merry Christmas.
Commissioner Tolva
said she is happy with the way the Commission is going forward. She agreed Chair Daugharty and Vice-Chair
Poore are doing a good job.
Additionally, she thanked Commissioner Hamik for bringing the Rotaract in, as it is a great resource for the Trails
Committee. Ian Laing
and Simone Shaw attended the Trails Committee meeting and Ms. Tolva declared Homer
has a bright future with people like them.
She thanked the Commission for a great meeting.
Chair Daugharty
told the Commissioners to keep their ear to the pulse and wished all a Merry
Christmas.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no
further business to come before the Commission the meeting adjourned at
____________________________________
JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Approved: _________________________
[1] As
of this date, the Trails Committee has been rescheduled to