Session 06-09, a Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on July 20, 2006 at 6:33 pm by Chair Poore at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:         GANN, POORE, STEWART, TOLVA

 

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:           HOWARD, HAMIK (Both Excused)

 

STAFF:                                                PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

                                                            DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was amended to Commission Business Item G to Item A, Item F to Item B, Item K to B, and the remaining items to follow accordingly.

 

The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES               

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA.

 

Tom Hagen expressed his appreciation that the Commission is still considering name a baseball field after his late wife.  He said it does not have to be a lifelong memorial, having it for a limited time would be great. 

 

Commissioner Tolva thanked Mr. Hagen for attending the meeting and explained that when this first came up there was an issue of protocol and thanks to his request, the City now has a protocol for dealing with these requests.

 

Lindsay Winkler, City resident, thanked the Commission for their advertisement for trails weekend.  She reported that there was a great turnout with over 200 participants. Last year they had 3 people working in the demo forest and this year there were 14 and they were thrilled to have so many across the bay.

 

Ms. Winkler commented on the 2007 budget requests, recommended the Commission ask for more funding and commented on two areas where they could start.  She commented that it is time for the City to take a larger roll in the effort against noxious weeds and provided maps to the Commission show how the Orange Hawkweed plants have increased throughout the area.  Ms. Winkler noted that she is not an expert on this and got a lot of her information from Caleb Slemmons, Invasive Plants Program Coordinator with the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District.  Ms. Winkler feels the City needs to get involved because the roads and transportation corridors are one of the biggest factors for weed spreading as the cars can pick up the seed and take it to their destination and it will spread everywhere.  She commended Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty, commenting that she has done a great job with her initiative toward this, but she needs a part time person year round to assist in dealing with it. Regarding eradication of the weed, Ms. Winkler commented that orange hawkweed is one of the hardest plants to deal with and while she is not an advocate for spraying, she said this plant needs it along with digging it up and getting rid of it.  The spray recommended for the plant is called Transline, an expensive herbicide. When questioned why it is so harmful, Ms. Winkler explained that Homer’s soils are nutrient poor, so invasive weeds can attack our areas faster than others because they thrive in nutrient poor situations.  The Orange Hawkweed plant shoots out toxins to discourage other plants from growing around it.  She stated that the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District boundaries are bigger than the City of Homer and if they could be assured that the City is dealing with in their boundaries, it would give them the opportunity to stop the other weed spreading from other areas that could come into the City.  She handed out a pamphlet shows that there have been over 500 spotting of the plant on the peninsula.  Ms. Winkler said that Mr. Slemmons is currently working with DOT on the Diamond Ridge Road project so they don’t encourage the spread of the weed seed.  Ms. Winkler spoke of another tap root weed that grows along riverbanks and encourages erosion by taking over where native plants that hold the soils would grow. 

 

Lastly, Ms. Winkler asked the Commission for their support on Ordinance 06-42 coming up at the next Council meeting.  The Ordinance is for a ballot proposition to continue the HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Project) funds program and have those funds available for developing trails.  She suggested that if the proposition does pass that the Commission should advocate for a part time position for getting funding, easements and development of trails. 

 

STAFF REPORT                                                                                          

 

            A.        Memorandum dated June 28, 2006 from Planning Technician Engebretsen

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen provided a copy of the proposed budget schedule for the Commission to review and encouraged them to attend the next Council meeting and testify at the public hearing.  She advised the Commission that she would probably be absent from the August meeting.

                                                                                                                                   

VISITORS

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.                 2007 Budget               

 

STEWART/TOLVA MOVED OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE 2007 BUDGET.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

The Commission discussed the draft resolution prepared by Planning Technician Engebretsen. Points included,

·        Item 6 on the draft resolution addresses just the City owned property to connect and build a trial.

·        Add funding for noxious weed eradication in the Homer area.

·        Development of the Senior Trail has been in the CIP for quite a while.

·        Sveldund may not be the best place for the trail.

·        The land between Herndon and the Salvation Army might be a nice place for a meandering trail.

·        Add research ways to fund a Senior Trail.

·        Parks Maintenance usually gets hand me down trucks from Public Works and does not always have access to a flat bed truck for her projects, primarily in the summer.  Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty has requested the truck and this shows the Commissions support. 

·        Make notation that WKFL Park would be a good location for downtown restrooms.

·        Parks & Rec administrative position to solicit state and federal funds and coordinate projects. 

·        As Town Center develops there will be the need for more Parks and Rec staff to help ensure the area is all we want it to be.  Now is the time to start lobbying for more Parks and Rec Funding.

·        Add more funding for Parks and Rec Staff.  Include an administrative position for coordinating projects and funding.

·        Add a whereas regarding the Town Center.

·        Increase request for Parks Day from $500 to $1000.  Advertising is costly and there needs to be money left for supplies.

·        Number 8 on this resolution provides support for the Spit Trail, Harbor Overslope Trail and End of the Road Park.

·        Specify Bike Racks at Bishops Beach and City Hall on number 5.

 

GANN/TOLVA MOVED TO ADOPT THE NEW PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION BUDGET AS CHANGED FROM WHAT WAS IN THE PACKET.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

                                                                       

B.                 Trails Committee Report

 

Commissioner Tolva asked if the protocol for accepting trails and easements is being worked on.  Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that the ordinance has been accepted by the City Attorney has reviewed and made comments.  She is working on getting it in final format and expects it will go to the Planning Commission in September for their review.

 

Commissioner Tolva commented that the Trails Committee had planted flowers in the grassy area along the East End Road Bike path, but sees that it is getting mowed. She asked why they are mowing it, she thought it would be left alone to grow and become a buffer for sound and dust. Planning Technician Engebretsen responded that would be a question for DOT.  Ms. Tolva also questioned why the bicycle lane on Ocean Drive to the Spit doesn’t get swept as it is so bad that bicyclists have to ride on the street.  Mrs. Engebretsen responded again that DOT would need to be contacted; public pressure is the best way to get it accomplished.

 

Chair Poore noted that under Pending Business the Commission has been expecting a Trails Committee report, but there can’t be a report until they officially meet.  In order to do that they need to post an agenda so it can be advertised.  It is the official protocol that they all have to follow and it has been quite sometime since the Committee has met. 

 

            C.        Work List

 

There was no discussion on the work list.

                                                                                               

COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

 

A.        Memorial Naming of Baseball Field for Sherry Hagen

 

TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO DISCUSS THE NAMING OF THE BASEBALL FIELD FOR SHERRY HAGEN.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried. 

 

There was discussion regarding moving forward on the request.  Chair Poore called for a short recess at 7:41 to get a copy of the park naming policy.  The meeting resumed at 7:48.

 

The Commission reviewed the procedure and determined that they need to hold a public hearing. 

 

STEWART/TOLVA MOVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SHERRY HAGEN ISSUE.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Beach Policy Re: Motorized Vehicular Traffic at Bishops Beach and Mariner Park

 

STEWART/TOLVA MOVED TO OPEN DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Poore stated that this issue has come up from the public, the Mayor, memorandum from City Council and was noted as well during their beach walk through.  She noted that when they did the park walk through they noticed there is no signage to inform local residents or visiting public what the restrictions are.  With Mariner Park, Mud Bay Beach and perhaps Bishops Beach, the boulder barricades are not in place to indicate visually that ATV, motorcycle, four wheeler and automobile traffic is not permitted in certain areas.  The signage and barricades were requested by the Beach Policy Task Force are not in place and the problem is escalating.

 

The following points were made in discussion:

·        The Beach Policy Task Force encouraged using logs and rocks to restrain vehicles because they didn’t want too many signs on the beaches. 

·        Obviously they don’t want vehicles in Mud Bay and Mariner Park, but Bishop’s Beach is a grey area because they want the storm berm to build up.

·        Bishop’s Beach is the one place where motorized vehicles are allowed and people are not supposed to drive toward the lagoon, but can go the other way. 

·        A main concern with Bishop’s Beach is that there are so many beach users, pedestrians and vehicles are having a hard time co-existing with each other.

·        Based on the adopted policy, make a recommendation to fix what is already in place. There may be boulders that need to be placed and signs that need to be repaired or replaced.

·        Public Service Announcements before Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day to remind people.

·        Having pamphlets and flyers for people using the camp areas, fee takers could have them and at the Chamber of Commerce.

·        The signs at the two parking areas at Mud Bay are nice and it would be good to have them at the Airport access and Mariner Park.

·        The Beach Policy specifies where the signage should be located, and it may need to be verified that signs are still there.

·        Along with PSA, there needs to be enforcement.

 

Commissioner Tolva commented that it would be good to see more enforcement of not allowing bad behavior, like spinning brodies near pedestrians.  She said that turning left and driving toward the slough is not prohibited, but driving on the storm berm and going into the slough area is prohibited.  Ms. Tolva added that there were a few instances where tickets were written to people driving with their families and when they went to court they were shot down, putting a lot of public expense down the drain.  The reason is that people felt very strongly about driving either direction on the beach and the compromise was they could drive on the beach, but absolutely not on the storm berm.  It has worked because the berm is really building up.  She doesn’t want to see them become vigilantes but would like to see enforcement of drivers acting responsibly on the beach and not scaring parents with their children.  

 

·        The need is still there for continued public education. 

·        In the past the Honda shop has copies of the map of where motorized vehicles are allowed and they distribute the maps to customers and people who ask about where they can ride, the Police Department has them and the camp offices have them. 

·        There was not a copy of the map at the Mariner Park Kiosk, and there should be on there.

 

TOLVA/GANN MOVED FOR PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN TO PLACE THIS ITEM AS A MEMO TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND BRING IT TO THE COMMISSION AT THE NEXT MEETING FOR REVIEW.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

            C.        Memorandum From Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen dated July 13, 2006 Re: Mariner Park                                                                                         

 

TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There was no discussion regarding the motion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

 

Commissioner Tolva commented that she took her family camping on the spit at Chapple’s camp ground.  She told she could have any space on the third row and discovered that you can’t see anything from those spaces because of the Condo’s that have gone up and all the rip raff they have thrown out during construction.  She doubts if anyone will ever rent those spaces again.  She thinks there may be the need for a new RV park in the near future.

 

The Commission briefly discussed the intent of the memo and that it is informational at this point but they should read it so they will be prepared when asked by the EDC for their input regarding highest and best use for the area.

 

GANN/TOLVA MOVED TO POSTPONE UNTIL THEY HEAR BACK FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

D.        Plan Worksession with Economic Development Commission & Chamber of Commerce Director Derotha Ferraro

 

GANN/STEWART SO MOVED TO DISCUSS

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Stewart reported that at the Commissions last worksession Commissioner Howard brought up the idea of having a worksession with the EDC since Parks and Rec’s needs are based on money and the need to generate money.  He said there is a symbiotic relationship and it would be beneficial to have enhanced parks for the economic development of our town.  He suggested including Derotha Ferraro, Director of the Chamber of Commerce in their discussion of bringing in more revenue. 

 

The Commission agreed to try to meet with the EDC prior to the EDC meeting on August 8th at 5:00 pm.  Chair Poore will contact EDC Chair Bob Howard.

 

E.         Beach Access and Right-of-way Changes

 

GANN/TOLVA SO MOVED TO DISCUSS BEACH ACCESS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY CHANGES.

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Poore explained that there has been past discussion by Council and the City owns seven rights-of-way with beach access.  At one of the Council meetings they were recognizing that they are undevelopable as roads, and then they changed the building setback on the rights-of-way so buildings can now be built up to five feet of the rights-of-way.  Chair Poore pointed out that in recommendations from the Beach Policy Task Force in April 2005, recommendation 8 was “That the City never vacates any portion of any rights-of-way that may provide any sort of access to the Kachemak Bay Shoreline.  Privatization of the few remaining access points is not in the public interest.”  She also noted recommendation 10, “The City Requests the Parks and Recreation Commission to begin a plan for development of the remaining rights-of-way which provide access to Kachemak Bay.  Said development may be parking, trails, stairs or other appropriate ways to facilitate access by the public to our natural treasure Homer’s shoreline.  Also important are those areas which may simply provide viewing of the natural wonders of Kachemak Bay.”

 

Chair Poore commented that this has come up in the Commission’s work for discussion several times and she is pleased to see how firmly and clearly it is stated by the Beach Policy.  It is something the Commission needs to steward. 

 

There was discussion that the Commission could look at one they felt needed to be developed sooner and add it to the CIP recommendations.

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen commented regarding allowing buildings so close to the set back.  She said although the City’s policy is in place and Borough has code about not vacating public right-of-way that accesses the water, it is not uncommon to have those requests.  In Homer some of our subdivisions are 50 years or older and have long narrow lots that go into the bay and the usable land on some properties is limited.  If you have corner lot and you have the 20 foot right-of-way from the street and another 20 foot right-of-way from the beach access it gets more and more difficult to develop the property.  She said this is common on Kachemak Drive.  A smaller setback would partially take away the need of someone to vacate.

 

The Commission agreed to focus on Crittenden and Main Street accesses and made the following suggestions for development:

·        Parking and Boardwalk Stairs to the Beach

·        Property acquisition on Main Street because the property below it is privately owned.

 

F.         Schedule Comprehensive Plan Worksession     

 

TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

The Commission discussed scheduling and agreed on Monday August 21st at 6:30 pm.

 

G.        Reorganize List on Comprehensive Plan and Discuss Update    

 

STEWART/GANN SO MOVED TO DISCUSS ITEM G.

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Stewart provided a handout to the Commission that is a suggested outline for items in the Comprehensive Plan.  He suggested they review the items for discussion at the worksession on the 21st. 

 

It was suggested that they add wording from action statements in the Homer Non Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan.  Planning Technician Engebretsen suggested that the HNMTTP is adopted with the Comp Plan, but if there are certain key issues they feel should be reiterated, they can identify those things. 

 

Ms. Winkler would make the CoHOST group aware of the worksession.

 

H.        Capital Improvement Plan

 

GANN/STEWART MOVED TO OPEN DISCUSSION.

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Gann requested both the Crittenden and Main Street beach accesses be added to the CIP.  He asked for help from staff in drafting project descriptions and benefits from Special Projects Coordinator Holen.

Some of the recommendations from the Commission are:

·        Developing a small parking area, stairs and/or boardwalks to allow public access to the beach.

·        Viewing Platforms, for those who can’t make it down the stairs.

·        Stairs and landings on the Crittenden access due to the grade and distance.

·        There is a little bench with trees, a brook, shaded views and it is requested it stay as natural as possible.

·        Contact sensitive development.

 

The Commission agreed to review the list, bring their top five to the August and take final action on the CIP recommendations at that time.

                                                                       

I.          Beach and Park Walk Through

 

GANN/STEWART SO MOVED TO DISCUSS BEACH AND PARK WALK THROUGH.

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Poore drafted reports that were provided to the Commission as laydown items.

 

The Commission agreed to discuss them further on their next agenda.

 

Commissioner Gann said he had noticed when he was on the spit during a high tide that about a third of the north parking area on the Mud Bay side was under water.  He suggested they may want to have the boulders pulled back to a higher tide line and suggested signage. 

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen suggested inviting one of the biologists from Islands and Ocean to talk to the Commission about usage in the Mud Bay area. The Commission agreed and Mrs. Engebretsen said she would try to schedule it for September or October.

 

Commissioner Stewart mentioned the Chapple’s bringing in a derelict boat in the area of lot one in Louis Lagoon area and making a retaining wall out of it.  Planning Technician Engebretsen commented she thought there was a stop work order on it but wasn’t sure.

 

There was discussion regarding a large barge on the east side of the boat basin on the English Bay property.  It’s ruptured and cracked and under water when the tide comes up.  It is noted in the beach policy for removal.  Planning Technician Engebretsen stated that it is on private property in a marine industrial area and she is unaware of a zoning mechanism to deal with it. She noted that English Bay has been cleaning up the property and doesn’t know what their plans are.  As long as they aren’t breaking federal regulations, they have the right to have it on the property.  Commissioner Stewart said he would contact Jack Cushing and ask him about it.

 

Chair Poore commented that it has come to her attention that citizens don’t know what WKFL (Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith and Love) stand for.  She would like to think of some ideas for park recognition.  There was a suggestion of promoting it for Park Day or running a once a month article on local parks.

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen said she would prepare a synopsis for review at the August meeting and the Commission will look at the three memorandum suggestions.

 

J.          Possible Land Trade of Property near Karen Hornaday Hillside Park

 

TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Poore commented that this issue has come to her from Jack Cushing and also Mayor Hornaday.  There is a parcel of land in the area of Karen Hornaday Hillside Park that a neighboring property owner Mike Gordon would like to enter into a trade with the City for that parcel.  She said Mr. Cushing told her that this is a very valuable City lot that will continue to increase in value as watershed and green space and pointed out that there is a plan that Fairview Avenue is going to connect with West Hill road at some time.  Ms. Poore pointed out on the aerial photo where she believes a historic trail to be located.  She wanted to bring it to the table tonight to bring the Commissions awareness to it. 

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen added that with the exception to Hornaday Park, all the land surrounding it is owned by the same firm, which is believed to be owned by Mike Gordon.  The request to purchase the property first came up during discussion of the land allocation plan.  She noted that it was for sale for quite some time, back when real estate wasn’t as valuable and then the City took it off the list.  Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty has stated that it would be good to have more land adjacent to Karen Hornaday Park for expanded campground or trails.  She suggested the Commission request more information about the property like how the City acquired it, historical access or information on what use it might have for the City to retain it or park space. 

 

TOLVA/GANN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THEY POSTPONE THE DECISION ON THE LAND SWAP UNTIL WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION AND THAT MORE INFORMATION IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGARDING THIS PARCEL.  

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

K.        Commission Bylaws Re: Attendance                

 

GANN/STEWART SO MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There were no comments on the motion to discuss.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

She encouraged the Commissioners to contact people regarding the vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission and encourage them to apply for the position.

 

Chair Poore reminded the Commission of the rule in the bylaws regarding attendance and that missing three consecutive meeting unexcused may result in declaring that seat vacant.

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

 

A.        City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 12 (approved) and June 26, 2006 (unapproved)                                                                                   

            B.         2006 City Council Meeting Attendance Schedule                                 

            C.        Resolution 06-72 Requesting that the Alaska DOT Complete the Homer Spit Trail from the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon To and Including End of the Road Park.                                                                                                     

            D.        Letter from Chair Poore dated June 21, 2006 Re: Commission Support of a new equestrian facility in Homer.                                                

            E.         Emails from Chair Poore & Commissioner Gann re: Bike Rack Inventory

                                                                                                                                                           

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that the Caribou Lake Dash is scheduled for August 5 and people can call 226-CYLL to pre-register.

 

Commissioner Tolva thanked Student Representative Baechler for sticking with the Commission.  She has seen Ms. Baechler’s pictures in the paper and she looks great.  She thanked Commissioner Stewart for the outline and the other Commissioners for attending the walk thrus and their concise notes.  Ms. Tolva asked the Commission to excuse her as this has been one of the longest days of her life and the longest Commission meeting.  She thanked everyone for their work, they are making some headway.

 

Commissioner Gann asked to confirm the EDC worksession date, which was planned for August 8th at 5:00 pm.

 

Chair Poore thanked everyone for coming tonight.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:37 pm.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2006 at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: