Session 05-07, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on July 21, 2005 at 6:33 pm by Vice Chair Poore at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS POORE, STEWART, TOLVA, HAMIK

ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS DAUGHARTY, MCCALLUM, GANN (All Excused)

STAFF: PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

AGENDA APPROVAL

Commissioner Hamik added Pending Business item G. Roundabouts.

The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Unapproved minutes of June 16, 2005

The amended minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.

STAFF REPORT

A. Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen

Planning Technician Engebretsen explained that the southern end of Jeffrey Park is sloping and wet at the bottom. Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty would like to put clean fill in there to bring up the level and improve the drainage. The Commission agreed to add this topic to the next agenda to take action on it. Mrs. Engebretsen commented regarding signage. She spoke to Ms. Hagerty who explained that trailhead signs typically follow the DNR standards as far as height, color and types so they are the same and easy to recognize throughout the State. Other than that the City does not have a design theme for signage, park beautification, benches, etc. Mrs. Engebretsen pointed out that the Coal Point Park was the only one she knew of that does not have a sign in place. The other signs are either taken care of or relatively new. Mrs. Engebretsen clarified for the Commission that the Hornaday Park project is going to be taken care of. The $4000 that the City is short will not stop the project; it will be taken care of by budget appropriation or take it out of the existing budget. Mrs. Engebretsen provided a copy of the Homer Trails Map that was prepared by the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies to the Commission and visitors.

VISITORS

A. Pat Cue - Former City Councilmember and Beach Policy Committee Member

Pat Cue reviewed the Memorandum 05-78 dated April 13, 2005 from the Beach Policy Committee to the Mayor and City Council regarding the Committee’s final recommendations. Ms. Cue was not sure if a camp host program had been established yet for the parks and beaches. She briefly explained the purpose of this was to maintain a presence at Bishops Beach Park and Mariner Park. It was determined that the program was not put in place this year but the Commission agreed that it was a good idea. Ms. Cue discussed the boulders at Mariner Park. She explained that boulders were supposed to be placed in such was as to keep vehicles off the critical habitat area, but it has not happened yet. She pointed out that boulders were placed in two areas on the Mud Bay side to delineate where parking is allowed and prevent people from driving down on the Mud Bay critical habitat area. There was discussion about the State owned parcel to the west of the intersection of Kachemak Drive as another option for parking. The Committee had requested a notice be posted at the base of the spit to explain where the additional parking is available at Green Timbers and Louis’ Lagoon. A recommendation was made that the City never vacate any portion of any rights-of-way which may provide any sort of access to the Kachemak Bay Shoreline and that privatization of the few remaining access points is in the public interest. After starting the process the Committee realized that some of the public access points were not as highly utilized as others. The more utilized the public access points were, the more damage occurred. If there are private entities that want to take over some of the access points, it detracts from the desire to maintain the public access to the beach. Ms. Cue stated that the City Council should have assigned to the Commission the responsibility of oversight of trails leading to the Kachemak Bay shoreline and the activity which take place on our largest natural park: the shoreline of Homer. The Committee also asked that the Commission begin a plan for the development of the remaining rights-of-way, which provide access to Kachemak Bay. Said development may be parking, trails, stairs or other appropriate ways to facilitate access by the public to our natural treasure, Homer’s shoreline. Also important are those areas, which may simply provide viewing of the natural wonders of Kachemak Bay. Another recommendation was that the City revise and publish the informative brochure (first produced in 2004) to aid users in the responsible enjoyment of our beaches. The brochure should be widely distributed by the Parks and Recreation Department and displayed in places obvious to visitors. Planning Technician Engebretsen agreed to provide a copy for the next meeting. There was discussion about ways to post the information. It was suggested that a laminated copy could be posted on the display board as well as copies people could take. If there was a camp host at the beaches, they could replenish the copies. The Committee requested that the City replace the sign display at Bishop’s Beach with a more attractive mounting system. Ms. Cue commented that their intent was for something similar to what the Islands and Ocean visitor center has, something more natural looking. Lastly, they requested the City maintain the Homer Shoreline in a natural state. We should not allow our shoreline to become privatized or to become a built environment. There was brief discussion of a structure that was built on the beach and during construction there was damage to the storm berm. The Commission agreed that this is an important area of concern, but is outside their authority. Planning Technician Engebretsen said she would bring information as to what the Planning Commission is at in dealing with shoreline setbacks.

Rika Mouw, resident on Kachemak Drive, commented that originally the Beach Policy Task Force would perform a yearly assessment of the beaches. She stated she would like to make a yearly assessment about the part on Mud Bay and make an appeal to the Commission to make a recommendation. The situation on Kachemak Drive is that ownership is to the mean high tide line and anything below that is critical habitat. By allowing vehicular traffic on Mud Bay it says it is okay to ride either on critical habitat or private property, because there is nothing in between. Mrs. Mouw pointed out that bottom of the airport access road shows what vehicle traffic does and it is pretty disgusting. It is not a nice way of showing visitors during Shorebird, what we do to our beaches. She explained that there were boulders placed at the bottom of the access road, but they can and do go around them. There is no longer a sign there that says people can’t ride there. She clarified that this critical habitat is primarily food for birds, worms, clams, etc. Mrs. Mouw believes that there are people who would be happy to volunteer to help police the area.

Commissioner Tolva pointed out the Commission needs to keep in mind that area is a traditional route of driving. Not that many years ago this is how people used to get everywhere. Mrs. Mouw said the people do use the beach to access their personal property for building up their bluff, so it is okay in special instances, but not for recreational driving. It may have been traditional use to get to the head of the bay, but they don’t access it that way anymore. She doesn’t see that argument as having validity. She understands traditional use but it should be used respectfully. There is no justification for joyriding in critical habitat area.

There was discussion that there are clear ordinances that need to be enforced.

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Homer Beaches and Parks – A United Commission

The Commissioners agreed that a lot of what they just discussed are larger issues than they have the authority to act on. They discussed the items that they could move forward on. Planning Technician Engebretsen agreed to work with Chief Robl on laminating the brochure that was discussed earlier and having it posted. She pointed out that placing boulders in Mariner Park will take time because it is below the high tide line and in critical habitat area. She will inquire about the Bishops Beach signage and see if it can be replaced. The Commission concurred on the following:

ü The signs have helped with the traffic on the beaches.

ü They would like to have beaches on their agenda monthly or quarterly.

ü They would like to invite Marilyn Sigmund from the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to attend their meeting in the near future.

Planning Technician Engebretsen recommended looking at beaches along with their annual park walk through. She said that she would ask for more information as to what direction the Commission should take on this. The Commission asked to have boulders and signage added to the next agenda for discussion.

B. Adopt-a- Park, Adopt-a-Trail, Adopt-a-Bench

Commissioner Tolva commented that there doesn’t seem to be much interest in the Adopt-a-Park or Adopt-a-Trail programs but the Adopt-a-Bench program is doable and has already started.

Planning Technician Engebretsen agreed this would be very easy. A person can call Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty and discuss with her that they would like to have a bench and how much they can spend. Ms. Hagerty knows where she needs benches and knows the costs.

STEWART/HAMIK MOVED THAT THEY LABEL A PROGRAM THAT TAMMY HAGERTY ALREADY HAS IN PLACE AND CALL IT ADOPT-A-BENCH.

VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Motion carried.

Commissioner Stewart asked for information regarding cost in hopes that the Commission may be able to get a bench.

C. Fireworks

Commissioner Tolva commented that she talked to Derotha Ferraro, who is very excited about a fireworks show for Winter Carnival. Ms. Ferraro has a line on a pyrotechnician named Griz and will check whether the Coast Guard might be available for support. Ms. Ferraro expressed her belief that businesses would be more willing to help sponsor if the City could donate “seed money”, maybe $1000 to get it started. The Commission discussed verbiage for a resolution and had the following ideas:

ü It would bring the Community together for celebration.

ü It would honor our past and commemorate 50 years of Winter Carnival.

ü It would help displace cabin fever.

ü It would boost economy and attract visitors at a slow time of year.

ü It would bring generations together.

ü It would be a pleasurable service (gift) to the Community

ü It would promote Winter Carnival.

Planning Technician Engebretsen agreed to draft a resolution to present at the next meeting.

D. Bike Racks

The Commissioners discussed bike racks in town. Commissioner Hamik recommended that bike racks be at the new library, all parks and all trails. Planning Technician Engebretsen said that bike racks are addressed in the CIP and if the Commissioners will email her where they would like to see them and she will prepare a list for discussion at next meeting.

E. Thank You Letter for Park Day Contributors

The Commission agreed to put a letter together and spend a few minutes at the next meeting to sign them.

F. Trails Committee Report

Commissioner Hamik said that she is unable to get a hold of the Boy Scout, Kyle Moore, who sent a letter about trails. She said she will send him a letter. The Trails Committee will meet again in September.

H. Roundabouts

Commissioner Hamik advised the Commission that the DOT has extended the deadline for input about roundabouts from July 20 to August 15. She encouraged everyone to offer their suggestions and said she wanted roundabouts on every agenda. Mrs. Hamik said she has people comment that they are glad the Commission is keeping this issue going.

Commissioner Stewart apologized for not being at the last Trails meeting. He commented that the Planning Commission has been putting energy into trails, and they are working on wording primarily for people donating their land and easements for trails. There was discussion about HEA allowing trails to be allowed in their easements and Planning Technician Engebretsen clarified that HEA will not allow that. Mrs. Engebretsen stated she would include information about easements in her next staff report.

COMMISSION BUSINESS

A. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

TOLVA/STEWART MOVED THAT THE BEN WALTERS PARK IMPROVEMENT PLAN BE INCLUDED IN THE CIP LIST.

VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

The Commissioners will go through the CIP and come up with their 5 selections for discussion at the next meeting. Vice Chair Poore encouraged Student Representative Baechler to include her ideas as well. Mrs. Engebretsen outlined the changes in the CIP. They discussed the benefits of resubmitting the same ideas to show their continued support for these areas. Commissioner Tolva urged the Commissioners to consider the East Trunk Trail as their number one choice because it will connect several trails and neighborhoods. Vice Chair Poore expressed her frustration that trails could not have their own entity for finding their own funding, rather than being watered down in the CIP. Mrs. Engebretsen commented that currently there is not another funding mechanism in place for trails, but that is not to say the City couldn’t look for funding. There was discussion about the importance of Jack Gist Park. Vice Chair Poore spoke about a Trails Commission that can get out there and find national or foundation money so a new trail could be built every year. Commissioner Stewart pointed out that an action item in the Non Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan is for the City to hire a person to do just that and a Town Square action item is to create a Parks and Recreation Department within the City. Mrs. Engebretsen explained that the CIP is the City’s way of prioritizing tasks it helps the State and other funding agencies see that we are ready to go. The Commission expressed their desire to keep the idea alive of having an employee to focus on funding for parks and trails.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A. City Council Minutes Special & Regular Meeting June 13 and 27, 2005

B. June 18, 2005 Park Walk-Thru Notes

C. Resolution 05-53 Approving the City of Homer’s 2005 Land Allocation Plan

D. Resolution 05-72 Authorizing the Naming of the Fishin’ Hole to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

COMMENTS OF AUDIENCE

No audience comments

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that it was a good meeting and will get information together for the next meeting.

Commissioner Hamik commented that the park walk through went great and there are notes in the packet. She thanked Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen for finding the work list from the 1990’s. She thanked everyone for a great meeting.

Commissioner Tolva thanked the Commissioners for a great meeting and Mrs. Engebretsen for all of her work.

Commissioner Stewart commented that it was good to be back, it was a productive meeting and he thanked staff.

Student Representative Baechler said it is good to be back and it looks like things are going well.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska

Melissa Jacobsen, Deputy City Clerk

Approved