Session 06-10, a Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission
was called to order on
PRESENT: COMMISSIONER BREMICKER, GANN, HAMIK, HOWARD, POORE, STEWART,
TOLVA
ABSENT: STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE BAECHLER
STAFF: DEPUTY CITY CLERK
JACOBSEN
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Gann noted that
under adjournment, the meeting date for the next regular meeting should be
The agenda was approved as
amended.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A.
Minutes of
Commissioner Hamik expressed her concern about comments made during the Trails Committee report.
STEWART/HAMIK MOVED TO DISCUSS THE TRAILS COMMITTEE STATUS UNDER PENDING BUSINESS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
HOWARD/GANN MOVED THAT THEY NOT ACT ON THESE MINUTES AND DIRECT THE CLERK TO RE-LISTEN TO THE TAPES AND IF IT HAS BEEN INACCURATELY RECORDED, THEN IT WOULD NEED TO BE CORRECTED.
It was clarified that the June minutes would come back for approval on the next agenda. There was discussion in favor of and opposing the motion.
VOTE: YES: POORE, STEWART, GANN, HOWARD, TOLVA, BREMICKER[1]
Motion carried.
B.
Minutes of
The minutes of
PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS
ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
STAFF REPORT
A.
Memorandum dated
There was discussion regarding
the f
The Commission discussed a final park walk through and scheduling it in the evening as an effort to include Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty. They suggested a time frame of August 28 through September 1 and Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen said she would email Ms. Haggerty to see what her schedule might allow. Commissioner Hamik said she would not be able to attend that week.
The Commission commended Planning Technician Engebretsen for her work on the staff report.
VISITORS
PENDING BUSINESS
A.
Public Hearing Re: Naming of Base Ball Field in Memory
of Sherry Hagen
TOLVA/HAMIK MOVED TO DISCUSS ITEM A.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
Chair Poore stated that the
Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing, but since there was no one in
the audience she asked the Commission if they wanted to continue with the
hearing or reschedule it. The Commission
agreed to move forward with the public hearing as it had been properly noticed
that the hearing was to be held tonight and there w
Chair Poore opened the public hearing. There were no public comments and she closed the public hearing.
TOLVA/HAMIK MOVED TO BRING RESOLUTION 06-02 TO THE TABLE FOR APPROVAL.
Commissioner Tolva commented that
having known Sherry Hagen and talking to people around town about this, she
believes that this request does meet the policy requirements. Sherry Hagen made a significant contribution
to the community, especially to sports.
Ms. Tolva supports it because she feels a lot of people around town
support it.
Chair Poore commented that she did not know Sherry Hagen or the family, but in looking through the long list of supporters she sees a lot of names of youth in the community that she recognizes. One of the recurring themes in this town and parks and recreation discussions has been that we need to recognize our youth and need to involve them. Seeing that involvement here she feels it is important to respect and honor it by following through with someone they knew and supported.
Commissioner Howard agreed with what has been said and encouraged the family to work with the City in preparing a sign and perhaps funding the signage so it gets put up in the near future.
The other Commissioners agreed with the comments.
VOTE: YES: HAMIK, BREMICKER, GANN, HOWARD, POORE, TOLVA, STEWART
Motion carried.
The Commission discussed design
and involvement from the family in the design of a sign and cost of the
sign.
Commissioner Howard commented that under public policy, taxpayer funds should not be used for this as it is a family request and as long as it meets the policy criteria, she feels the family would be the financial sponsor.
Commissioner Stewart noted that
the policy makes reference that the sign w
The Commission agreed to take up sign criteria, specifically type of sign and burden of cost, on the September agenda naming policy and sign.
B.
Capital Improvement Plan
TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
The Commission reviewed their previous list. Commissioner Gann reiterated his desire to have the Crittenden and Main Street Beach Access to the overall CIP list. He explained that the City has six or seven beach access areas that are undeveloped which is an area the Commission would like to move forward on.
Each Commissioner noted their top five choices for their CIP recommendation. Commissioner Howard noted her concern regarding the City’s water supply, but kept her recommendations in line with parks and recreation projects.
Commissioner Bremicker spoke in
favor of the
The Commissioners ranked their preferences for the Capital Improvement Plan and Commissioner Gann read the results:
GANN/BREMICKER MOVED FORWARD THEIR PREFERENCES ON TO COUNCIL.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
C.
Memorandum
06- From Planning Technician Engebretsen
Re: Motorized Beach Use
STEWART/TOLVA SO MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: YES: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
The Commission discussed Planning Technician Engebretsen’s memorandum and
made the following amendments.
·
Item 4,
after Pamphlets or flyers, add “designating user areas”
·
Item 4,
add that the pamphlets w
·
The
pamphlet should include information regarding beach etiquette.
·
Item 2 include
ordinance numbers on signage that have the enforcement language.
There was discussion regarding ordinance numbers on the sign. Commissioner Tolva commented that it goes
against the beach policy of to much cluttering signage, but agrees there needs
to be more enforcement.
Further discussion ensued regarding beach etiquette. It was noted that the Beach Policy is not
clear regarding where a person can drive on the beach and even locals have a
hard time determining what is allowed and what is not.
Discussion continued regarding ordinances on signage. Chair Poore pointed out that even the locals
don’t know what is allowed where. In
this case they are talking about specific sites, Bishops Beach, Mud Bay,
Mariner Beach, area that are getting motorcycles, four wheelers, trucks
spinning brodies in critical habitat area.
In those areas there need to be signs and she doesn’t feel it is
offensive on a sign to have the ordinance number to aid the police in
enforcement.
Commissioner Stewart commented that putting information out to the public
w
GANN/STEWART MOVED TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM AS AMENDED.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: YES: STEWART, HAMIK, TOLVA, GANN, POORE, BREMICKER, HOWARD.
Motion carried.
Chair Poore called for a recess at
GANN/STEWART MOVED TO recommend
the administration broadcast a public service announcement on the radio and PRINT
BEFORE this
There was discussion regarding the availability of funding for the
announcement and that it should be done if funds are available. Chair Poore noted that the issue of problems
on the beach was brought to the Commission by the Mayor, Council and
citizens.
It was questioned whether there was a budget that came along with
assuming the duties of the Beach Policy Committee. Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen noted that there
probably was not a specific budget, but would ask Planning Technician Engebretsen
if she could address it in her next staff report.
VOTE: YES: BREMICKER, GANN, HOWARD, POORE, TOLVA, HAMIK, STEWART
Motion carried.
D.
Draft
Resolution Re: Parks and Recreation Commission 2007 Budget Requests
TOLVA/GANN MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Commissioner Gann suggested the following amendment for item 12 on the
draft resolution:
A new, full time administrative position for the following:
a) Actively identify and seek funding from Federal, State and Borough Agencies for development and maintenance of recreation facilities.
b) Research funding for parks, trails and recreation land acquisition, development and maintenance.
c) Develop a plan for an integrated system of trials, sidewalks and walkways to connect City parks, schools and other recreation areas and the downtown core.
d) Identify and support area wide parks and recreation activities, projects and development which would be beneficial to City residents.
e) Evaluation future City parks and recreation needs to complement existing facilities.
f) Support the development of recreational facilities to meet the needs of senior citizens and the disabled.
g) Coordinate the formulation of park standards by involving the Planning staff and Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Works staff, Port and Harbor staff and Commission.
h) Establish park and recreational area standards and standards for identification and relative prioritization of park needs for neighborhoods, City residents, regional recreation users, including the disabled and visitors.
i) Improve, expand and diversify existing parks and recreation facilities in the City to meet the needs of residents and visitors.
j.) Identify and Plan for future parks and recreation needs by way of updating the Parks and Recreation Plan.
Mr. Gann explained that this list came from City Code and if there is the need for a position like this, it needs to be substantiated and feels it should be included with the budget request.
GANN/HOWARD MOVED TO AMEND NUMBER 12 TO WHAT HE JUST READ.
Mr. Gann clarified that the verbiage came from the chapter 6 of the
Comprehensive Plan.
TOLVA/BREMICKER MOVED TO AMEND ITEM D TO READ “IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT AREA
WIDE PARKS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES, SCENIC NATURAL AREAS, GREEN BELTS,
PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO CITY RESIDENTS”
There was discussion of using the term green way as opposed to green
belt. They felt it was more appropriate
to leave as green belt, as it is a little more generic.
VOTE: (Amendment) NON OBJECTION:
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
There was no further discussion
VOTE: (Main motion as amended) YES:
POORE, STEWART, GANN, HOWARD, HAMIK, TOLVA, BREMICKER
Motion carried.
STEWART/TOLVA MOVED TO CHANGE ITEM 11 TO THE NUMBER 1 SPOT AND ITEM 12 TO
THE NUMBER 2 SPOT AND ROTATE THE LIST DOWN IN SEQUENCE.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
There was discussion of fund raising for winter carnival fireworks. Commissioner Bremicker commented that he
didn’t feel the City needed to fund the fireworks , they just need someone to help coordinate and people
would kick in for it. Commissioner
Stewart explained that earlier this year, the City provided $1000 for the
winter carnival fireworks and the other businesses in the area made
donations. He said Mr. Bremicker’s idea
is good, but requesting funding in the budget could help keep the momentum
going.
Commissioner Tolva noted that Chamber of Commerce Director Ferraro played
a large role in getting funding together for the fireworks and since she is
moving on, they may have to put forth a little more effort to keep it going.
Commissioner Howard commented that with the advertising and
communications the Commission has been discussing they may want to consider
adding funding to their budget requests for that.
HOWARD/GANN MOVED TO ADD $1000 FOR PAID ANNOUNCEMENTS.
There was brief discussion reiterating some of the uses they would have
for advertising.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
Commissioner Tolva made comment that item C in Commissioner Gann’s
recommendation is what the Homer Non Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan
did and suggested some different wording.
TOLVA/HAMIK MOVED THAT THEY REPLACE WHAT WAS WRITTEN IN 12 C WITH THE
FOLLOWING, “IMPLEMENT THE HOMER NON MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION AND TRAIL PLAN AS
ADOPTED IN SUMMER 2005.”
There was brief discussion regarding wording.
BREMICKER/STEWART MOVED TO MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO ADD “TO INTEGRATE
SYSTEM OF TRAILS, SIDEWALKS AND WALKWAY TO CONNECT
There was no discussion.
VOTE: (Friendly amendment) NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
There was no further discussion on the amended motion.
VOTE: (Main motion, as amended) NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
GANN/STEWART MOVED TO ADOPT THE DRAFT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.
There was no further discussion.
VOTE: YES: BREMICKER, GANN, HOWARD, POORE, TOLVA, HAMIK,
STEWART
Motion carried.
E.
Memorandum
from City Clerk Calhoun Re: Joint Worksession with the
TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM.
Chair Poore commented that originally when the Parks and Rec Commission
asked for this worksession it was to be a joint worksession with them,
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
F.
Memorandum
From Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen Re: Memo 06-115 from City Manager Wrede Re:
Resolution 06-23/KPB Parcel # 175-040-03
HOWARD/TOLVA MOVED TO DISCUSS MEMORANDUM 06-115.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
Chair Poore commented that in previous discussions with Jack Cushing he
said that this property can only increase in value for the City for possible
park land, green space, water shed, also there is a historical trail in the
area. Parks Maintenance Coordinator
Hagerty had commented that it could possibly be used for future development of
camping and trails.
Discussion of the property continued with the following points:
·
Expanding
camping onto that property would be a benefit to the City.
·
Concern
for getting access to the parcel, should it be developed.
·
It would
be beneficial to have an idea of the cost to develop the area for the City and
if it would even be feasible.
·
It would
be beneficial to see the parcel retained in the City’s land bank and if nothing
else it could be maintained as green space.
·
The
topography of the area is such that development of a road or housing would not
only create a scar to it, but there would be the access issues.
·
The
property holds great value, even as simple open space and it increases in value
every day as more and more land gets developed.
·
The City
should hold onto it even if it is only for green space and habitat.
·
Since
there isn’t access and one of their goals is to encourage green development,
perhaps there is a way to negotiate with the neighbor access to the land with
the stipulation that the other land they develop is more green friendly and not
over develop in the area of
·
The City
has granted Mr. Gordon some sort of an access easement through
Commissioner Stewart commented that he heard some discussion at the last
Council meeting that the City needs to develop a steep slope development plan
and this area would be applicable to that.
GANN/TOLVA MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE CITY RETAIN THE PROPERTY.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
G. Memorandum from Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen Re: Letter from
Special Projects Coordinator Holen Re:
STEWART/GANN MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
HOWARD/TOLVA MOVED TO PUT THIS ON THE SEPTEMBER AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND
THE OCTOBER AGENDA FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
Commissioner Howard stated that is a complicated manner and in November
when they make their report to the
There was discussion that this is a multi-agency concern and it w
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
H.
Trails Committee
BREMICKER/STEWART MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
Chair Poore commented that the discussion Commission Hamik was questioning in the June minutes was based on some concerns that had been raised regarding some activity that was happening at a time when there had been no meetings advertised. She noted an instance of a letter to the editor from the Trails Committee. She felt that the minutes held an accurate reflection of what took place at the June meeting. Chair Poore said that in the past the community has been casual about some things, but at this point the City needs to do things following the process. As each level of City organization has expected themselves to work to a little cleaner note, then other parts of City organization has been brought up a further step and can no longer be as casual as has been accepted in the past.
Commissioner Tolva commented that in the past, over ten years ago, the Committee would meet when the felt like it, it would in the paper and sometimes there would be 50 people and other times there would be three people. With in the last few years, they have to advertise in advance and plan, and it hasn’t really worked out very well. But when something comes up it is easy to get some people together and go door to door and write letters. If they are going to continue in this format, then she agrees that they do need to clean house, but they used to get a lot of work done as an ad hoc group, and they would report back to the Commission or to the City as citizens, not as a subsidiary of the Commission.
Commissioner Tolva continued that after the past Committee meetings, having dealt with different issues, she understood that they are waiting for other things to happen before moving on with their number one objective, which is the implementation of the Homer Non Motorized Transportation and Trail Plan. The plan is the culmination of years of work by various trails groups. She noted the comment from the minutes that tasks had been given, but not followed through and said that is true, but not from the Committees end.
Commissioner Howard commented that some viewed the open meetings law as a lot of trouble when it first came out and clerks were wondering how they were going to deal with it. But they found that it made government and public policy run smoother and more efficiently. In this town, the trails are such a prominent subject matter that when the meetings and minutes are advertised, it give the public the opportunity to participate in something they love. When agendas and minutes are prepared, these types of conversations that they are struggling with now, would be eliminated because there would be the documentation and audit trail for what has happened, what needs to happen and what is going to happen. She sees it as an opportunity for the Trails Committee to be viewed as so important to the town that following this law makes it easier for the Committee to do their job. She noted that the Committee does have the support of the Clerk’s Office to do that.
Chair Poore commented that there
may be room for an ad hoc volunteer group, but at this point the Trails
Committee is more than that and w
There was some lighter discussion regarding the policy and Commissioner Poore thanked everyone for the open discussion on this topic.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. City Council Minutes from
B. Parks
& Recreation Advisory Commission
C. Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission
D. City Council Meeting Attendance Schedule
COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
COMMENTS
OF THE COMMISSION
Commissioner
Bremicker said he is honored to be part of the group, it is obvious that they
are a group of people who love our parks and recreation in the City as much as
he does, and they know more about it. He said he should probably sit back and keep
quiet for now, but that is not his nature. He thanked everyone for making him feel
welcomed.
Commissioner
Gann said he is glad to have Mr. Bremicker on the Commission; it is nice to
have a full Commission again. He
recommends that everyone take a good look at the
Commissioner
Howard said she is glad not to be the newest person. She commented that what they went through in
discussion of the Trails Committee shows her the passion for the work they do
and it is how they work through these difficult things and she admires that.
Commissioner
Tolva thanked everyone and said she is exited to have Commissioner Howard who
is so sharp on the nuts and bolts of running things and now Commissioner
Bremicker. She commended Chair Poore on
running a great meeting. She commended
the other Commissioners for their work and thanked everyone for a great
meeting.
Commissioner
Stewart welcomed Mr. Bremicker to the Commission and appreciates all the hard
work and looks forward to the next meeting.
Chair
Poore reminded the Commission of the worksession scheduled for Monday August 21
at
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned
at
MELISSA
JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Approved: