Session 05-08, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on August 18, 2005 at 6:37 pm by Vice Chair Poore at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT:           COMMISSIONERS POORE, GANN, TOLVA, HAMIK, STEWART 

ABSENT:            COMMISSIONERS DAUGHARTY, MCCALLUM 

STAFF:            PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN
                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

AGENDA APPROVAL

Commissioner Hamik requested that Pooper-Scooper Placement be added as item K under Pending Business.  The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

There were no public comments.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES  

A.                 Unapproved minutes of July 21, 2005  

The minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.                                                                        

STAFF REPORT

A.                Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen                                               

Planning Technician Engebretsen stated that the Commission’s fall Park Walk-Through is supposed to happen in September and suggested they schedule it this evening.  Commissioner Stewart commented that he would like the Commission to look at Beach Access rights-of-way.   

HAMIK/STEWART MOVED TO ADD PARK WALK-THROUGH UNDER COMMISSION BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION.  

There was no discussion.

VOTE:  YES:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT  

Motion carried.

Commissioner Tolva asked for clarification on easements.  Planning Technician Engebretsen explained that an easement can be written in such a way that it is not revocable, and there are cases where a person grants a temporary easement and it gets reviewed after a period of time.  

VISITORS

PENDING BUSINESS

A.                Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

Each Commissioner offered their top five selections from the CIP list and the Commission discussed the merits of each.  There was discussion as to whether they could add an item for consideration for the CIP, the item would be a crosswalk on East End Road for Jack Gist Park.  The Commission agreed to add it to their worklist.  The Commission’s list of items for consideration were:

ü      Downtown Restrooms

ü      Community Greenhouse

ü      Senior Access Trail

ü      Harbor Pedestrian Ways

ü      Town Center Infrastructure

ü      East Trunk/Beluga Lake Trail System

ü      Kachemak Drive Rehabilitation/Pathway

ü      Expanded Parking for Spit Trail

ü      Jack Gist Park

ü      Ben Walters Park Improvements  

After the Commissioners ranked their preferences for the Capital Improvement Plan, Vice Chair Poore read the results:

1.      Town Center Infrastructure

2.      Senior Access Trail

3.      Jack Gist Park

4.      East Trunk/Beluga Lake Trail Extension

5.      Harbor Pedestrian Ways  

TOLVA/HAMIK MOVED TO HAVE THE ABOVE MENTIONED RANKING SYSTEM AS THE PARKS AND RECREATION PRIORITY LIST.  

There was no discussion.  

VOTE:  YES:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.  

Motion carried.  

The Commission reviewed the CIP page for Parks and Recreation Improvements.  They were in agreement that the City is in need of bike racks.  The locations recommended for bike racks were:

ü      All City Parks

ü      All Trailheads

ü      All City Facilities

ü      The Chamber of Commerce

ü      The Pratt Museum

ü      Beach Accesses  

Specific locations that were mentioned were the End of the Road Park, Crittenden Beach Access, Woodside pocket park.  They agreed that lobbying within the community for local businesses to add bike racks at their businesses is a good idea and will look at preparing a letter in the near future.   

With regard to signs, Commissioner Hamik stated that Coal Point Park is the location that Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty said is in need of a sign.  Mrs. Hamik pointed out that the log sign at Bishops Beach needs to be cleaned up and possibly re-etched.  Commissioner Gann commented that would be a nice type of sign to have at the End of the Road Park and it could help delineate where parking boundaries are.  

The Commission concurred that 20 bike racks was a good amount to start with.  They requested that as Ms. Hagerty is looking at bike racks to purchase, that she try to find something with a marine or nautical theme.  

The Commissioners briefly discussed park benches and agreed on 10 benches that are permanent and can be used year round.   

                        B.         Homer Beaches -Boulders and Signage  

Commissioner Stewart reminded the Commission that the Beach Policy Committee had requested boulders at Mariner Park and at the airport access area, so people could not access the beach from that location.  

Commissioner Tolva commented if those are areas designated motorized vehicle access areas of the beach, there shouldn’t be boulders there.  There are places where people can and cannot go with vehicle.  It would be a good idea to look at ways to protect the habitat area.  

The Commission agreed that they would look at Mariner Park, Crittenden Beach access and the Airport Beach access at their walk-through and have further discussion at next months meeting.   

Commissioner Stewart emphasized how important this new duty of the Commission’s is and he doesn’t want it to become a back issue of the Commission, the annual assessments need to be thorough.  Vice Chair Poore added that it needs to be maintained or it won’t be respected, it is very crucial piece of the picture.  

                        C.        Park and Trail Signage  

The Commission agreed they had adequately addressed park and trail signage in their discussion of the CIP items.   

                        D.        Jeffrey Park                   

Planning Technician Engebretsen reminded the Commission of the discussion from her July staff report that the south end of Jeffrey Park lies lower than the road and it is wet until fairly late in the year.  Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty would like to bring in clean fill to raise it and improve the drainage so it can be used as park area.  

HAMIK/STEWART MOVED THAT THEY REQUEST FILL FOR THE JEFFREY PARK DRAINAGE SITUATION.   

There was no discussion.  

VOTE:  YES:  HAMIK, GANN, POORE, TOLVA, STEWART  

Motion carried.

                        E.         Fireworks          

Commissioner Stewart commented that he spoke previously at a City Council meeting and had explained that the Commission is unanimous in their desire in having fireworks for Winter Carnival and that they would be presenting City Council with a resolution and it would be a good idea if the City would provide seed money.   

Vice Chair Poore read Resolution 05-01 into the record.   

STEWART/TOLVA MOVED TO ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION AND FORWARD IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT THEIR NEXT MEETING.

There was brief discussion whether Winter Carnival takes place in the same timeframe as the Arctic Winter Games, but was believed that Winter Carnival is in early February and the Winter Games are in March.  

VOTE:  YES:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT  

Motion carried.  

            F.   Bike Racks 

The Commission agreed they had discussed this adequately during the CIP. 

Commissioner Hamik reiterated her desire for bike racks that have a design like fish or something nice.  Commissioner Tolva continued that they should be something unique to Homer that adds to the scenery, not detract from the visual resources. 

Commissioner Tolva said she would like to think about requesting some type of budget and keeping the bike racks locally built, in an effort to help the economy and get something really unique.  It could go out to bid and they could look at the designs to see what they want. 

Planning Technician Engebretsen pointed out that a standard bike rack probably isn’t terribly expensive, but to contract with an artist to create a piece of art, it will be priced accordingly for their time and materials.   She explained that if they are going to be specific about a project, the Commission needs to say they want a bike rack for a specific location and want it to be a nautical theme.  

The Commission asked if a memo could be given to Ms. Hagerty stating while researching cost for bike racks please explore possibility of some unique and custom bike racks with a nautical theme.  The Commission prefers that if possible, they be locally made.    

            G.    Thank You Letter for Park Day Contributors 

Commissioners Tolva and Hamik stated that they would have the letter ready next month.  Commissioner Gann agreed to remind them about the letter. 

H.                Roundabouts 

Commissioner Hamik expressed her disappointment after all of the good things that have been said about roundabouts, the City is looking at putting a traffic signal at Lake Street and the Sterling Highway.  Vice Chair Poore expressed her view that just because a light is being proposed for that location does not mean that roundabouts are out of the picture.  This is a new item.  She spoke about a new one in Fairbanks that looked beautiful.  Commissioner Stewart commented that the need for traffic control is great and a short-term solution is to install a light at Lake Street, but the State is still looking at roundabouts, it will just take some time.  Planning Technician Engebretsen added that the time for public comment to DOT on their intersection study ended on August 15^th.  The recommendation from the Transportation Committee to Council was to put a light at Lake Street as an interim solution with the knowledge that there are five or six intersections that the study looks at and needs that need to be dealt with overall.  Roundabouts are very expensive so it takes time to budget money, acquire property and so on.  Lake Street has the infrastructure to put in a light as a short-term solution. 

The Commission agreed to take roundabouts off their monthly agenda, but will bring them up periodically.  

I.                   Worklist

The Commission reviewed the items on their worklist.  Planning Technician Engebretsen reported that the parking lot at Hornaday Park is being worked on during the summer.  She wasn’t sure if any work had been done on the drainage yet, but will keep the Commission up to date in her staff report. 

They took the Parks and Trails Map off the worklist because it is complete.  

They commented that the playground equipment is in at Jeffery Park, but they should target another park and look at building it up.  Commissioner Hamik suggested swings at Bayview Park.  Commissioner Gann pointed out that there are swings there, but they noted at their last park walk-through that one of them was broken.  Vice Chair Poore suggested asking Parks Maintenance Director Hagerty for a list of the improvements for next spring, the Commission would have a better idea of what is needed.  The point was brought up that it is something that could be prepared during the winter when things are a bit quieter.  

The Commission agreed to keep the remaining items on their worklist.  They will work on a letter to businesses, the paper and the Chamber about bike racks and start discussion on their next Park Day throughout the winter.  

Commissioner Tolva asked to add a new item for a crosswalk on East End Road for Jack Gist Park and Beach Access research and development.  Commissioner Stewart asked to add the Budget for Parks and Recreation.  If they want to expand trail accesses and parks they may need to look at increasing the budget.  Planning Technician Engebretsen agreed that lobbying for more Parks and Rec funding and for reserves.  

Vice Chair Poore reminded the Commission that she had been tasked with talking to the City Manager about the budget and what plans were for any of the tax revenues with regard to Parks and Rec.  She asked about it at a Council Meeting but has not received a reply.  Mrs. Engebretsen commented that she believes that Parks Maintenance Supervisor Hagerty’s half time or full-time position was added back into the budget as a result of the tax increase.  Ms. Poore commented that considering this community is so involved with tourism, Parks and Rec needs to become higher profile and one way of doing that is showing a commitment through the budget process.  

Commissioner Stewart stated he would like, as a Commission, to discuss the possibility of a Parks and Recreation Department.  There are numerous projects around the community that people are in favor of but seem to languish on the side and nothing ever happens.  He commented that one of the Town Center Development action plans was to create a paid position to chase grants.  It was also brought up in the Non Motorized Transportation Plan.  He understands there are money issues throughout the City and in order to get some of these projects off the ground, it will have to be a paid position to do it.  Commissioner Gann added that having a paid staff position would be instrumental in finding funds.  

At the request of Commissioner Gann, Vice Chair Poore called for a short recess at 8:15 pm.  The meeting resumed at 8:19 pm.                                               

J.                   Trails Committee Report  

There was no Trails Committee Report.  

K.                Pooper-Scooper Placement  

Commissioner Hamik reported that Pat Boone from Homer Animal Friends had contacted her.  They have a dispenser that holds pooper-scooper bags and a free box of bags.  Mrs. Boone wanted to know if the Commission wanted the dispenser for one of the parks.  The Commission agreed they would take it and give it to Parks Maintenance Director Hagerty to put where she believes it should be.   

COMMISSION BUSINESS  

A.                Memorandum 05-133 From Mayor Hornaday Re: Tree Steward Committee 

Vice Chair Poore summarized the memo for the Commission and asked for feedback. 

Commissioner Gann stated he would prefer that the Committee report directly to the City Council.  He believes their message will be diluted if it goes through the Commission to Council. 

Commissioner Stewart offered his view that it is a self-sustaining committee and they would complement the Parks and Recreation Commission’s mission statement.  Vice Chair Poore added that it might make the Parks and Recreation Commission’s position stronger to have the Tree Board reporting to them. 

Planning Technician Engebretsen pointed out that one of the questions is whether the Tree Stewards should be a City committee, in which case they will have to meet the open meeting act and would be encouraged to meet at City Hall, or should they remain informal and meet at Two Sisters for coffee.  

The Commission discussed the position of the Tree Stewards and agreed that it would be best to invite members of the Committee to their next meeting to discuss their views.  

STEWART/GANN MOVED TO POSTPONE ACTION ON THE TREE BOARD UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY CAN DISCUSS THE NEEDS WITH THE TREE STEWARDS AT THEIR NEXT MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.  

VOTE:  YES:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.  

Motion carried.  

            B. Fall Park Walk-Through   

The Commission agreed to meet Saturday, September 10 at 9:00 am at Captains Coffee.  Vice Chair Poore said she would check the walk-through schedule and email a list out.   

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS  

            A.        City Council Minutes Special & Regular Meeting July 25, 2005           

            B.   Memorandum from Parks and Recreation Commission to Special Projects Coordinator Holen Re:  Capital Improvement Plan      

            C.         Playground Safety                                                   

            D.         Desired Objectives for a Parks and Recreation Department May 30, 1990                                                                                

            E.         Tree City USA                                                                       

          F.         Council Meeting Attendance List

COMMENTS OF AUDIENCE  

There were no audience comments.  

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS  

Commissioner Stewart wanted to know what is going on with the road rebuilding and widening for sidewalks along Ben Walters, Kachemak Way and the others.  Planning Technician Engebretsen replied that she is not sure how much the East End Project impacted the City projects, but she knows they were short staffed well into June.  Mrs. Engebretsen will ask about the status.   

Commissioner Tolva commented that she feels the Commission is on the right track with beach access and they are moving forward on a lot of things.  She thanked Planning Technician Engebretsen and Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen.  

Commissioner Gann commented that it is nice to have some of the budget items looked at; with the City growing those items are important. As the City grows the demand for Parks and Rec increases and the space for recreation seems to decrease.  He asked that the Commission to consider, when talking about trails, is non-sealed trails rather than all paved or concrete trails and sidewalks.  He thanked Vice Chair Poore for chairing the meeting.  

Commissioner Poore asked for more information on non-sealed trails and asked that it be on the November agenda.  

ADJOURNMENT  

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for September 15, 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