Session 05-01, a Special Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on January 20, 2005 at 6:35 p.m. by Chair Daugharty at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS GANN, DAUGHARTY, TOLVA, HAMIK, WEAVER
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE BAECHLER
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS POORE, MCCALLUM (both excused)
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Hamik asked to add Item F. Roundabouts and Item G. Reviewed Pedestrian Access Easement Draft under Pending Business.
The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A. Unapproved Minutes of December 16, 2004
The amended minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTER
ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
There were no Public Comments
STAFF REPORT
A. Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen
Planning Technician Engebretsen said her report was based on information she took from the City Council Tentative Agenda regarding a proposed Ordinance or Resolution that sets guidelines for disposal of lands that the City receives from tax foreclosures. She said she wanted to bring it to the Commissions attention since they have been interested in having tax-foreclosed land for use as parks or proceeds from the sale of those lands to fund park activities. She suggested that the Commission give their input prior to the February 14th City Council Meeting.
HAMIK MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE CITY OF HOMER SET SOME GUIDELINES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF LAND THAT THE CITY RECEIVES FROM TAX FORECLOSURES, THAT IN THE FUTURE THEY COULD BE LEFT AS GREEN SPACES AND/OR FUNDS FROM THE SALE OF THESE PARCELS COULD GO TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION RESERVE FUND.
The motion on the floor failed from lack of a second.
There was discussion that the amount of land that the City receives through tax foreclosures is minimal, but it does happen.
Commissioner Hamik asked if the Council is proposing this since the budget is so tight. Planning Technician Engebretsen said she believes it is a concern and continued to say that from her perspective, the City doesn’t have a policy on land disposal.
Chair Daugharty clarified that Commissioner Hamik’s intent was to either identify the land as parkland or receive money from the sale of the land for parks. Commissioner Weaver suggested if a new motion is made adding appropriate land, because some of the land the City gets may not be usable. Commissioner Tolva commented that when parcels are sold it would be good to receive at least a portion of the proceeds because Parks and Recreation has a hard time getting funding since there are many other important things going on.
The Commissioners continued discussion of appropriate wording of a motion.
TOLVA/WEAVER MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY OF HOMER SET GUIDELINES PERTAINING TO THE DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY ACQUIRED THROUGH FORECLOSURES. APPROPRIATE LAND SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR GREEN SPACE, TOWN SQUARE AND PARK PURPOSES. MONEY FROM THE SALE OF THESE AND OTHER CITY PROPERTIES SHOULD BE SET ASIDE IN A FUND TO SUPPORT PARKS AND GREEN SPACES.
VOTE: YES: WEAVER, GANN, DAUGHARTY, HAMIK, TOLVA
Motion Carried.
VISITORS
A. Kate Mitchell, Coast Guard “Sedge Class” Buoy Tender Memorial
(continued to February Agenda).
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Community Park Day
Chair Daugharty said that he had been working on drafting a resolution for Community Park Day and asked the Commission for input for whereas clauses. Some ideas were:
üIt is a goal of the City of Homer to Enhance the Beauty of the Community.
üParks fulfill the Health and Well being of its Citizenry.
üArbor Day is a Nationally recognized Event.
üThe City has passed Resolution 98-70 to promote a Community Forest Program.
üCommunity Park Day would increase Awareness of Homer’s Commitment to Parks.
üNow Therefore be it Resolved that May 14th be Homer Community Park Day.
Commissioner Tolva reported that she had discussed ideas with Derotha Ferraro with the Chamber of Commerce. They discussed having events at two parks, possibly a barbeque and local music at Hornaday Park and balloons, face painting and a tree giveaway at WKFL Park. The Commission discussed ideas of activities for the Community Park Day. They decided it would be better to keep it simpler in the beginning. Commissioner Tolva said she would contact the Division of Forestry in Soldotna to see about getting some of the free trees that they give away. She would also contact the Land Trust to see about having their tree sale coincide with Park Day and look into kid’s games. Commissioner Gann suggested talking to Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty about having some trashcans for kids to paint. He thought it would be likely that they could get paint and brushes donated. There was also discussion of park clean up and equipment repair. Planning Technician Engebretsen recommended that the Commission get approval from City Council before they begin to approach people for their time or donations. Chair Daugharty and Planning Technician Engebretsen said they would get together with Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty about costs. Chair Daugharty said he would work with the Clerk’s office on preparing the Resolution for Community Park Day.
Community Park Day is to be
continued to February agenda.
B. Park Survey
There was no information available on the Park Survey.
Park Survey is to be continued
to February agenda.
C. Adopt-a-Park
There was no discussion of Adopt-a-Park.
D. Trails Committee
Commissioner Tolva reported that the Trails Committee’s main focus right now is helping to implement the Homer Non Motorized Transportation and Trail Plan (HNMTTP). Ms. Tolva said that Planning Technician Engebretsen had given them direction that the Committee needs to get the model trail easement language worded the way they want it. The Commission would then make their recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review, and then it would go to the City Manager. Commissioner Tolva distributed a hand out of the top ten items that the Trails Committee believes need to be addressed as the City writes the easement language. She clarified that the easement language will be on a document that land owners can sign, giving pedestrian access easements to the City of Homer. Commissioner Gann asked where the ideas came from on the list of recommendations and if there was anything in the HNMTTP that address these same things. Commissioners Hamik and Tolva explained that the list came up as a result of discussion at the Trails Committee meeting and that they did use examples from the HNMTTP. Mrs. Hamik referenced the supplement between pages 68 and 69 of the HNMTTP. She said this is the first step in implementing the HNMTTP. Commissioner Tolva requested that the Commission give their recommendations to the Trails Committee to revise their list. Planning Technician Engebretsen clarified that the Trails Committee would submit them to the Parks and Recreation Commission; the Commission would hold a Public Hearing and the Commission would then decide whether or not to forward the recommendations to the City Manager.
Commissioner Tolva reported that the Trails Committee also discussed tax incentives for property owners. Commissioner Weaver commented that his understanding is when an owner grants an easement it changes their property right and the next property assessment would take the easement into account. He further commented that if a property owner granted an easement today, it might be another four years before the property is reviewed and a change is shown. Ms. Tolva invited Commissioner Weaver to attend their next Committee Meeting.
Commissioner Hamik reported that the Trails Committee also discussed tax incentives for new subdivision developers to provide trails for pedestrians/bicyclists. Commissioner Weaver recommended that it should be set up as a requirement or an exaction in exchange for the City permitting the subdivision.
Commissioner Tolva reported that the Committee discussed pedestrian/non-motorized transportation standards for new subdivision development. One idea was different standards for different areas, for example sidewalks aren’t necessarily needed on Diamond Ridge, and have a minimum number of lots being subdivided before the standards kick in. Most importantly, any new development should get Homer closer to the goal of interconnecting system of trails and access within and around the City of Homer. Any sidewalks or trails should connect with current and historic access and fit in with the Comprehensive Plan. She said that Ken Castner gave the Committee a presentation on couplets, making Lake Street, the Bypass and Pioneer Avenue one way. Ms. Tolva reported that there was a lot of discussion regarding the Poopdeck Trail and the possibility that a road could be put in next to it, according to the Transportation Plan. She said the Trails Committee hopes that it will stay a green area. Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that the idea of the Transportation Plan is that if sometime in the next 20 years more capacity is needed, more development takes place, and someone is bringing money to the table, then the plan says this is where we want the road to go. Ms. Engebretsen said it isn’t likely to happen soon.
Lastly, Ms. Tolva said the Committee prioritized their top five action tasks, which are:
E. Work List
The Commission reviewed their Work List and did not make any changes.
F. Roundabouts
Commissioner Hamik said she talked to Public Works Director Meyer and found out that the City’s present maintenance equipment will work for snow removal on roundabouts. She will set a date and get information for setting up cones for mock roundabout practice for the community. Chair Daugharty reiterated an earlier question by Commissioner Weaver asking if roundabouts are an issue the Commission should be dealing with. Commissioner Hamik replied that the town is growing and because roundabouts work in other places, it is important for the community to have a heightened awareness about them.
G. Reviewed Pedestrian Access Easement Draft under Pending Business
The Commission discussed this during the Trails Committee report.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. Amend Bylaws to Change Meeting time to 6:30 p.m.
GANN/TOLVA MOVED TO AMEND PARKS AND RECREATION BYLAWS TO CHANGE THE MONTHLY MEETING TIME FROM 7:30 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M. ON THE SAME DAY OF EACH MONTH
VOTE: YES: HAMIK, GANN, DAUGHARTY, TOLVA, WEAVER
Motion carried.
A. City
Council Minutes December 13, 2004 Special Meeting and December 13, 2004 Regular
Meeting Minutes (Approved)
B. Up-to-Date Map of Karen Hornaday Park
Chair Daugharty thanked Planning Technician Engebretsen for the up to date map of Hornaday Park and commented that Ms. Engebretsen had added information that was proposed on a plan five or six years ago. Chair Daugharty said that he thinks there should be a new plan. He pointed out that the old plan recommended removing the storage shed, but the shed is needed and should be fixed. The snack shack, restrooms and picnic were to be relocated and new ball field put in, which would be very costly. He pointed out that there will be more fields when Jack Gist Park is done. He said the plan is no longer realistic and that there are some minimal developments to do at Hornaday Park, like the drainage ditch, the little T-ball field, maintenance to the storage shed and to re-work the parking.
Commissioner Hamik asked Planning Technician Engebretsen about the $25,000 windfall money that the Commission had passed a motion on for the Hornaday Park Drainage and the trail maps. Ms. Engebretsen said that the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies did receive a grant to do a trails map and she will report at the next meeting the status of the ditching.
Chair Daugharty asked to have mowing the T-ball field added to the contract and questioned whether or not a motion was needed to recommend getting rid of the old plan for Hornaday Park. Ms. Engebretsen said that it was Council’s plan to begin with and recommended that Parks and Recreation come up with a new plan to present that would replace the old one. Chair Daugharty suggested when the Commission gives their report at the next City Council meeting, mentioning that the Commission is working on a new plan for Hornaday Park.
C. Commissioners Schedule for City Council Meeting Representation
D. Resolution 04-103 - 2005 Meeting Schedule
There were no audience comments.
Commissioner Tolva said that the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies has a target date of May 1st and they will be charging $.50 for them to help with the cost of reprinting. She said she has information on the Memorial Tree Program if anyone is interested in it.
Commissioner Hamik said she would like to have End of the Road Park on the agenda for next month so she can give a report. She thanked the Commission and Staff for the work, she feels like things are really starting to come together.
Chair Daugharty thanked Planning Technician Engebretsen for her help and for the map of Hornaday Park.
There were no other Commissioner Comments.
There being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska. Regular Meeting time is contingent upon Bylaw approval by City Council, if Bylaws are not approved prior to next scheduled meeting, it will be a Special Meeting
Melissa Jacobsen, Deputy City Clerk
Approved