Session 04-07, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on August 19, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. by Acting Chair Poore at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: POORE, WEAVER, GANN, HAMIK, MCCALLUM
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE BAECHLER
ABSENT: DAUGHARTY, TOLVA (both excused)
STAFF: PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN
DEPUTY CLERK JACOBSEN
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Poore asked where New Business would go, since there is not a heading for new business. Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen said that new business should go under Commission Business. Commissioner McCallum wanted to add an update on the survey idea. Acting Chair Poore said to please add Park Survey Update and Lights at the football field under commission business.
The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Unapproved Minutes of July 15, 2004
Acting Chair Poore requested that under D. Local Park Day it be changed to read “The Commission discussed the idea of coordinating a local park day with another day”
WEAVER/MCCALLUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 15, 2004 AS CORRECTED.
YES: MCCALLUM, GANN, POORE, HAMIK, WEAVER
Motion Carried
PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON
MATTER ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
There were no public comments
STAFF REPORT
Planning Technician Engebretsen introduced herself and said she is looking forward to working with the Commission. She reported that she spoke to Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty regarding the Jeffrey Park playground equipment. Ms. Hagerty said
she is trying to find children’s equipment that is compatible with the adult set. It will probably be next spring before it is installed.
VISITORS
No Visitor Comments
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Local Park Day
Commissioner Weaver said the Commission had discussed having it on the same day or as near as possible to Arbor Day. Acting Chair Poore said she thinks it is a good idea to coordinate Local Park Day with Arbor Day. She asked that the Commissioners continue to gather ideas about a Local Park Day, keeping in mind to coordinate it with Alaska’s Arbor Day and the Commission will keep visiting this through out the winter. She suggested looking at what other cities are doing for ideas, there is no point in trying to re-create the wheel. There are a lot of good wheels out there to use as models. Commissioner Weaver suggested using a park dedication as the center event of the Park Day and Arbor Day. He mentioned the End of the Road park may be a good spot to do it. Commissioner Hamik volunteered Student Representative Baechler to maintain a file with the information that is collected. Ms. Baechler agreed to take that on.
B. End of the Road Park
Acting Chair Poore asked if anyone had gone out and looked at the park since their last meeting. Commissioner Hamik said she thought their plan was to keep it simple with a trash can and a few picnic tables. Commissioner Weaver said that it would be good to have a sign so people wouldn’t think it was part of the hotel. Acting Chair Poore suggested a really nice sign that said “The End of the Road” and it could be positioned such that people could have their picture taken there with the mountains and bay in the back ground. She also mentioned a signpost with small signs that show mileage between that point and other places like New York and such. Commissioner Hamik pointed out that there is one of those signs already by Coal Point Seafoods. There was discussion about other options, for example, putting one destination like the farthest northern point of the road system and the farthest south. Acting Chair Poore suggested putting boulders or logs there to keep people from driving on to the beach. Commissioner McCallum suggested asking local artists to submit design ideas for signs and the Commission could select one that fits the idea of the park. Commissioner Weaver said it would need to be done on a volunteer basis and to make sure the artist will release the rights to the design to the city. The Commission asked Planning Technician Engebretsen to find out what the process would be for people to submit ideas and once the Commission chose a design how to go about purchasing one.
Acting Chair Poore asked Deputy
City Clerk Jacobsen to keep the End of the Road Park as a standing item on the
agenda.
C. Winter Carnival Fireworks & Promotion
Commissioner Hamik said that she
had talked to Commissioner Tolva, who was going to give a report, and it was
not a costly as she had thought it would be.
Acting Chair Poore asked if Commissioner Hamik would have Commissioner
Tolva contact John Faulkner. He is
licensed and has done some of the Firework shows in the past and may be willing
to help with the project.
D. Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen re: Reserve Funds and the Budget Process
Planning Technician Engebretsen informed the group that Finance Director Baugh has started collecting information from departments for the 2005 budget and if the Commission has a special project or a special item they would like to see on the budget it is recommended that they submit them soon. Ms. Engebretsen said that is important to ask for things even if it may seem too expensive at the time. She suggested that the Commission write a memorandum to Public Works Director Meyer listing their top three budget requests, for example lighting or park equipment that is above and beyond what they would normally use. That would give Mr. Meyer a standing when he goes to the council with his budget. She also explained that the reserve fund is for long-term projects and if the reserve funds are used, it will be difficult to get the matching grants in the future. There was discussion about lighting for parks, something sturdy and decorative that will light up a park sign and distinguish the parks. Commissioner McCallum said she would gather information on lighting and signs.
Acting Chair Poore said the
Commission should discuss items for the budget
due to the short time frame and said they should go through the rest of
the agenda because ideas may surface.
Commissioner Hamik asked Planning Technician Engebretsen about an entry on the budget on page 15 under expenditure detail which refers to the Ramp 2 Restroom Furnace. She asked why that came out of their money. Ms. Engebretsen explained that it isn’t exactly “their” money. She said none of the commissions get to spend reserve money. In this case the reserve money is Public Works, specifically for parks and recreation so if they need to build a restroom this is the money they will use.
Acting Chair Poore called for recess at 8:15 P.M. The meeting resumed at 8:22 P. M.
E. Trash Can Project
Commissioner Hamik reported that she spoke to Cat Huber and Brenda Dolma, the ladies that worked on it last year. Cat said that she is working with a group of kids who are interested in the project. Commissioner Hamik talked to Bruce Turkington at Spenards and Spenards donated the paint & primer needed for 20 trash cans. They will be painting them August 20th.
F. Update on Land Reserve Bank Fund
Acting Chair Poore reported that the Land Reserve Fund has about a 3 year history. It was first brought to council in April 2001. It is called the Homer Land Bank Reserve Fund. It went through the first and second reading and failed. She read the third whereas clause from Ordinance 01-11(A):
Whereas, the citizens would benefit if the proceeds from the disposal of parcels of unneeded city property are reserved for the acquisition, improvement and enhancement of other city real property for the health, welfare and benefit of the citizens.
In April, 2004 there was a memo
City Manager Wrede to City Clerk Calhoun and Finance Director Baugh regarding
the Land Bank, Acting Chair Poore read:
Land Bank Ordinance is something we will work on when we have some time later on. It is something the council wants to do but you may remember that I recommended that we put it off until we get some of these other big projects finished and off our plates. There is no time table but maybe we can begin work on it over the summer. I am not sure what the Land Bank Funds can be used for specifically, will defer to Dean. Was it created by Ordinance, Resolution or Memo? That might provide some clues.
Acting Chair Poore explained that the idea is that if the city has property and if they sell a parcel they don’t want to keep then the money would go into the Land Bank Reserve Fund to be held until a parcel was needed to add to a park or create a park.
Commissioner McCallum asked if the money from land sales go into the general account to meet budgetary requirements. Commissioner Weaver said it would likely be incidental revenue. He said some other cities and boroughs do have a similar fund, but wasn’t sure what the proceeds were used for, but it doesn’t necessarily go back into land purchases. Acting Chair Poore said she thought the intent for Homer’s Land Reserve Fund for parklands and greenways.
Commissioner McCallum said the Commission should consider, at a later date, a resolution that says if the City Council is interested in doing a Land Reserve Bank, it is the Commissions recommendation that the funds be used for the purchase of other lands to beautify the area.
There was discussion that the City doesn’t require developers pay a fee that goes toward creating park lands nor do they have donate a portion of the land they are developing for public recreation and access, and the Commission would like to see that changed. Acting Chair Poore asked that this be on the September meeting agenda for further discussion of preparing a memorandum for the Planning Commission.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. Resolution 04-70 Re: Recommendations Regarding the Establishment of a Homer Adopt-a-Trail Program
Commissioner Hamik commended the council for passing this. The Trails Committee monitors the Fairview Trail, they clean it, but she doesn’t know if anyone takes care of the others.
Acting Chair Poore read Now Therefore be it resolved that the Homer City Council directs the Homer City Parks and Recreation Commission to consider and make recommendations regarding the establishment of a Homer Adopt-a-Trail Program. Planning Technician Engebretsen said she looked at the website referenced in the Resolution for the Appalachian Mountain Club and will include information for the next packet. She said it gives a quick run down of what is required. Ms Engebretsen suggested that they make a list of 3 or 5 trails to get started with. Commissioner Gann said he would put together a list of trails.
B. Memorandum 04-100 From Public Works Director Meyer, Re: Ocean Drive Bluff Erosion Slope Remediation - City Owned Lots. Recommendations for purchase of park improvement materials, including fencing, benches, trees, shrubs, seeding and signage.
Commissioner Hamik stated that she would not be in favor of putting anything on a bluff that is going off into the sea.
Commission Gann said that he has reservations about the drawing that Public Works Director Meyer included in their packet. Mr. Gann said he went and walked the property and took photographs to get an idea of how much land is available there. He reported that between the burm and road there is a maximum of 15 feet then another burm that is about 9 feet then between the burm and steep slope there is about 11 feet of flat space then goes down to about 8 feet, then there is a steep slope down to the top of the seawall, probably about 25 feet down. He feels it would be a big risk to draw people there and said that if they were going to consider it, then the first thing they should do is build a fence. Mr. Gann said that re-seeding and re-planting with a native species of grass and trees or shrubs, not Hydro-Seed, would be a great place to start. Trying to help stabilize the bluff again is most important.
Acting Chair Poore said the same evening that the trees had been cut at the lots, she was called at home and asked to come over immediately and take a look at it. She spoke to the City Manager and some citizens. She believes that the city was under some pressure and doesn’t think that it was handled well. The community that was directly affected was not contacted and 2 city lots were clear-cut during the day and citizens who were at work came home to find the trees cut. Ms. Poore said she thought the city had sound reason to cut the trees. That area was undercut, meaning that the bank below the surface had eroded away and several feet (wide) of trees and topsoil (about 3 feet thick) were left with no support underneath. This was not obvious from the top, which left a dangerous situation of instability to people not realizing the undercut as well as potential damage to the seawall below, had the land broken away. Acting Chair Poore said her personal feeling is that for the city to maintain good standing with its citizens, this kind of action should be taken a little more carefully with community involvement.
Commissioner McCallum said that her concern is that it is not stable enough to even consider it for a park area. Stabilizing it the best they can in the most attractive natural fashion would be best. Commissioner Weaver said the Commission should recommend that some ground cover be planted and kept as a natural area in planning to help protect from erosion. He said he doesn’t think anything should be done to develop it into a pocket park or anything to attract use.
WEAVER/HAMIK - MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REQUEST FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT THAT A SITE PLAN BE PREPARED AND PRESENTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION THAT INDICATES NATURAL PLANTING AND POSSIBLE FENCING FOR THIS AREA TO HELP PREVENT FURTHER EROSION.
Commissioner McCallum asked to add that the Commission does not encourage development of a park at this time. Commissioner Weaver said that should be a second motion to the City Council.
VOTE: YES: POORE, WEAVER, GANN, HAMIK, MCCALLUM
Motion carried.
MCCALLUM/WEAVER - MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL NOT DEVELOP THE OCEAN LOOP BLUFF LOTS OWNED BY THE CITY OF HOMER WITH ANY INTENTION FOR RECREATION OR PUBLIC USE. THE COMMISSION DISCOURAGES ANY DEVELOPMENT OF LAND WITH RECENT EROSION, EVEN IF STABILITY CORRECTION IS IN PROCESS.
Commissioner Gann amended the motion to make the recommendation to Public Works since that is who originated Memorandum 04-100.
MCCALLUM/WEAVER - MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT PUBLIC WORKS NOT DEVELOP THE OCEAN LOOP BLUFF LOTS OWNED BY THE CITY OF HOMER WITH ANY INTENTION FOR RECREATIONAL OR PUBLIC USE. THE COMMISSION DISCOURAGES ANY DEVELOPMENT OF LAND WITH RECENT EROSION, EVEN IF STABILITY CORRECTION IS IN PROCESS.
VOTE: YES (amendment): HAMIK, MCCALLUM, GANN, POORE, WEAVER
VOTE: YES (main motion): GANN, POORE, MCCALLUM, HAMIK, WEAVER
C. Lou Stewart as Public Liaison Spokesperson.
Mr. Stewart was not present at this meeting. This item will be added to the September agenda.
D. Parks Long Term Survey
Commissioner McCallum passed out a draft of the Parks Survey that was put together by Lou Stewart. He prepared a list of questions for people to give input about which parks work for them, what they like, what they would change about them and what type of funding to support the changes they would recommend. This would give the Commission some effective feedback from the Community to work with in creating specifically a parks plan and potentially a recreation plan. Ms. McCallum said she would be happy to have the other Commissioners write on the drafts and give suggestions and ideas and she will make up a survey that the Commission could approve. Commissioner McCallum thought a good idea would be a map on the back that shows the locations of the parks.
Acting Chair Poore asked Student Representative Baechler what she thought of the survey and wondered if a young adult would be inclined to fill it out. Student Representative Baechler said that some of the parks she hasn’t heard of. She thought the graphics or maps would be a really good idea. Ms. Poore asked if it would be possible to get a group of kids together to distribute the surveys at the school. Ms Baechler thought they could probably do something like that.
Acting Chair Poore asked the Commissioners to take the surveys and bring their comments back to the September meeting.
E. Michael Hayes of Downward Dawg Co-Sponsoring a Concert with the City
Acting Chair Poore read an email that Michael Hayes of Downward Dawg sent her. She said she is not sure that the Parks and Recreation Commission is the appropriate partner or if the city has considered getting into this activity or event. Commissioner Weaver said that if a concert is sponsored by a private organization typically the organization has to present
concert and festival insurance to get that they have to have safety factors factored in for that. A public organization may not have to deal with all of that. There is a lot to consider with parking and traffic also. Commissioner Gann thought it would be a great idea especially an all ages event. Commissioner McCallum likes the idea of the City encouraging events like this to bring people in to the community, to diversify tourism and Mr. Hayes should present the idea to the appropriate person at the city. Commissioner Weaver said that Mr. Hayes should talk to the City Manager.
Acting Chair Poore said she will get back to Mr. Hayes and let him know of the positive feedback from the Parks and Recreation Commission and recommend he get in touch with the City Manager.
F. Budget Requests For Year ‘05
Commissioner McCallum confirmed with Planning Technician Engebretsen that the Commission could submit their ideas to the Committee Chair. Then the Chair can submit the ideas to Public Works Director Meyer. The Committee discussed that Chair Daugherty has not been at the last few meetings and they were concerned that he may not get the information in time to submit to Public Works Director Meyer. Commissioner McCallum said she would talk to Chair Daugherty and see if he will be able to facilitate this or if he would appoint someone to do so. Acting Chair Poore said that she would do the memo if Chair Daugharty cannot do it.
G. Lights for the Football Field
Acting Chair Poore said that Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty has approached her twice about lights for the football fields because people have been approaching her about it.
Commissioner McCallum said she didn’t feel it was the Commissions project and if someone else wants to do the research and they can come to the Commission for support. Commissioner Weaver said that usually the School District would handle something like this.
A. Ordinance
04-35 Adopting the Final Non Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan (NMTTP),
Amending the Homer Comprehensive Plan to Include the NMTTP and Recommending Adoption by the Kenai Peninsula
Borough
B. Memorandum 04-115(S) re: Appointment of Dennis Gann to the Parks and Recreation Commission and Certificate of Appointment
C. Mayor’s Letter and Certificate of Appreciation for R.J. Langman
D. Tree City USA Information
E. Email from Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty and Information Re: International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)
F. Updated Parks and Recreation Member List with City Council Meetings
Commissioner Weaver spoke about Tree City USA. He said there are 4 basic requirements for the program, establishing a tree board, a tree ordinance, community forestry program annual budget of $2 per capita, and annual Arbor Day proclamation. He thought a tree ordinance might be a little controversial and they should discuss it further at the September meeting.
Acting Chair Poore told the group that since RJ Langman has resigned, the Commission needed to appoint a new Vice Chair. Commissioner Hamik nominated Acting Chair Poore for Vice Chair.
MCCALLUM - MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ACCEPT COMMISSIONER POORE AS THE VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION.
VOTE: YES: HAMIK, MCCALLUM, GANN, WEAVER
Motion Carried
John Fenske said he was pleased to hear the discussion about possibly staging a concert. He thinks it is exciting that the Commission is thinking about these things and trying to get the community interest and that something like this can be used to promote other things that are going on in the city, like the Library Project or the Animal Shelter. He said there are a lot of things going on in the city that are balancing on the purse strings of the community and something like a concert could help bring in community support for these projects. He asked the Commission if they had noticed any changes since the Road Standards, Trails and Parks & Recreation are getting a little closer together. Commissioner Hamik and Commissioner McCallum said they were pleased with the Non-Motorized Trail Plan and that the momentum is going forward now. Mr. Fenske said there is some movement in consolidating some of the commission activities and involving the commission a little more closely with everyone. He said it is good to see the excitement and good to see the Student Representation at the meeting.
Student Representative Baechler said that this is her 2nd meeting and she is seeing that there is a lot going on. She didn’t know there was a whole commission that helped with playground equipment and she really appreciates what people have done in the past and what the Commission is planning for the future.
Commissioner Weaver said that he would like to hear more what Student Representative Baechler thinks would be good for the teens in the community.
Commissioner Hamik welcomed Commissioner Gann and thanked Nyssa stepping up and giving her opinion. She said she was glad that Mr. Fenske came to the meeting and that she thought it was a great meeting.
Commissioner McCallum thanked Acting Chair Poore for the emails. It helped her to keep up with what has been going on since she was away for a lot of the summer. She asked if the minutes were available on line. Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen told her that they are available on line on the City Clerks web page.
Commissioner Gann said he was glad to be part of the Commission and he is looking forward to getting more up to date.
Acting Chair Poore said she asked the City Manager and asked about the status of Heath Street to the High School and Svedlund, Kachemak Way. She quoted the City Manager as saying, “We decided to put all of those projects off until next spring for two reasons first the public works department has been inundated with work and projects this summer and they concluded that they just could not do everything. Something had to be put off and the repaving, bike lane construction project landed on that list. Second, we decided that the traffic in town was already so congested and people were getting angry and impatient with the DOT PF projects on East Road, Bartlett and the Sterling Highway. We figured we would make matters much worse if we did a bunch of our own road projects at the same time. I know the Commission will be disappointed by this news but I hope it will understand. We will get to it the first thing in the Spring.” Ms. Poore said she got some information and photographs on round-abouts that she is going to give to Valerie Conner, the newest member on the Planning Commission. One old piece of business was the American Parks Handbook. She asked Planning Technician Engebretsen if she could check to see if Special Events Coordinator Holen had checked into that. Ms. Poore said they need to do a park walk through. They decided to do that on Saturday, September 18 at 10:30 am. They will meet at Hornaday Park, then go to Superintendent Park (RV Dump Park), Triangle Park, WKFL City Park, Woodside Pocket Park, and the Skateboard Park.
Acting Chair Poore said that Parks and Recreation Commission has a longer history than she knows. When she brings it up in the community, people roll their eyes. Ms. Poore said “I thinks the Commission needs to work at strengthen their position with in the community. We need a reliable quorum every month, we need to prepare for meeting and handle them in a professional way. We need to follow through on commitments to show up for city council meetings and make reports and if we can’t they need to find someone who can or relinquish their commission to people who will be able to do the work. If we don’t do that, we are
giving away our power and our influence and weakening the position of this commission. And likewise the city.” She asked the Commissioners to consider her comments, to understand that she offers them respectfully and thanked the commission for listening. She thanked Julie Engebretsen for becoming part of the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. The next Regular meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
APPROVED
8/30/04-mj