Session 07-07 a Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:30 pm on August 16, 2007 by Chair Stewart at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                   COMMISSIONER BREMICKER, GARAY, STEWART, TENHOFF 

 

ABSENT:                    COMMISSIONER TOLVA, MCGREENERY (Both excused)

 

STAFF:                        PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

                                   

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Agenda was approved by the Commission.

 

MINUTES APPROVAL

 

A.        Regular Meeting Minutes, July 19, 2007

 

The minutes were approved as amended by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS

 

There were no public comments. 

 

STAFF REPORT

 

A.        Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen Re: August Staff Report

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that she provided a copy of the draft Parks and Recreation chapter for the Comprehensive Plan. She requested they give there comments to the Consultants over the next few weeks. There is a Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting on August 28th if any Commissioners are interested in talking with the Consultants. She reviewed the actions from the Council meeting on August 13 including the Park Day Proclamation, and adoption of the resolutions regarding the Beach Policy and retaining the 10 acres above Karen Hornaday Park for a while. Mrs. Engebretsen explained that action on the HART policy was postponed until August 27th and the Council discussed the budget and funding for the areas the Commission has been discussing. 

 

They discussed the fall park walk through.  They agreed to meet at Jack Gist Park on September 19th. They also agreed to have a worksession before the next meeting to discuss Commissioner McGreenery’s information on the budget and Park Day.  

 

VISITORS

 

There were no visitors.

 

Pending Business

 

A.        Park Day-Final Review

 

Chair Stewart commented that the Commission had done a good job with the final details for Park Day and it all seems to be coming together. They will meet at Hornaday Park at 1 p.m. to set up and get organized.

 

B.         Motorize Vehicles on Beach Ordinance

 

Chair Stewart advised the Commission that Council moved to postpone action on this ordinance until next spring. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        Woodard Creek Master Plan and Site Visit

 

Chair Stewart disclosed that he has a financial conflict of interest regarding this agenda item as he has property that abuts the property to be discussed.  It was noted that if Chair Stewart left the table the meeting would have to adjourn as there would not be a quorum remaining.   He advised the Commission that staff had provided color maps for their review and requested that the Woodard Creek Master Plan be on the next agenda for the other Commissioners to discuss.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.        Proposal ideas submitted by Beth Cummings on Karen Hornaday Park

B.         Letters, emails, and comments received regarding vehicles on the beaches

C.        Parks and Recreation Annual Calendar

D.        Council Meeting Dates

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

Commissioners Garay, Bremicker, and Tenhoff had no comments.

 

Chair Stewart commented he would like to have the continuation of the strategic plan at the next meeting. He advised the Commission that Commissioner Tolva, Vice Chair, has been away due to a family illness and he is seeing conflicts with his work schedule over the next few months, therefore someone else will have to Chair the meetings if they are both absent. 

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that Commissioner McGreenery has met with the City Manager and Finance Director and has a proposal for clearer indications regarding Parks and Recreation funds, for example, how much the City receives from camp fee revenues and how much it costs for the employees and so forth.  

 

Chair Stewart added that it had been described as creating a parks and rec fund, similar to what the port and harbor has.  He asked that this be added to the agenda so Commissioner McGreenery could report to the Commission. He added that he is excited about Park Day and is keeping his fingers crossed for good weather.  He thanked everyone for coming tonight for the short meeting, which they deserve after several months of late meetings. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at  6:56 pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2007 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chamber located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska. 

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: