Session 07-05 a Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:38 pm on June 21, 2007 by Chair Stewart at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                  COMMISSIONERS STEWART, MCGREENERY, TENHOFF, BREMICKER

ABSENT:                       COMMISSIONER GARAY, TOLVA

            

STAFF:                      PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was approved as presented by consensus of the Commission.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.                  May 17, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes

 

MCGREENERY/TENHOFF – MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

None.

 

STAFF REPORT

           

A.                  Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen Re: June Staff Report

 

a.                   Poopdeck Trail

 

Chair Stewart asked Planning Technician Engebretsen the status of the Poopdeck Trail signs. Planning Technician Engebretsen reported that the issues were discussed by the Public Arts Committee and that they were trying to come up with a few solutions. It was scheduled for their Art Walk and as soon as she receives, an update will forward the information to the Commissioners.

 

b.                  Calendar for attendance

 

Commissioner McGreenery stated that she was previously scheduled to attend the July 16th and Dec 3rd, 2007 City Council meetings, if it was okay with the rest of the Commissioners to keep that same schedule. It was noted by Deputy City Clerk Krause that there was no City Council Meeting scheduled on the 16th of July.

 

Planning Technician Julie Engebretsen reported that the Transportation Advisory Committee approved the draft HART document on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. This is now scheduled to go before City Council at the next meeting on July 23, 2007. A brief discussion regarding rescheduling the Beach Committee meeting was decided for July 5, 2007.

                                                                                                                                   

VISITORS     

 

Beth Cummings, Resident of Homer addressed concerns and issues at Karen Hornaday Park. She discussed establishing a trail along Woodard Creek and some suggestions on how it should be accomplished. She stated that the Master Plan for Karen Hornaday Park and the actual results of what has been done, are quite different.

Mrs. Cummings also spoke out on the fill from the area next to Woodard Creek, across from the south ball fields. This would reclaim the integrity of the land next to the creek by returning the area to a more natural state. She said that it would be a perfect area for picnic facilities.

Parking issues at the park were discussed also and Mrs. Cummings mentioned a few solutions that could be employed.

Mrs. Cummings submitted a color-coded map that showed locations of existing buildings and trails and proposed trails for the Commissions review and future use.

 

B.         Public Works Director Carey Meyer

 

Public Works Director Carey Meyer addressed questions from the Commission regarding the status, issues and concerns of certain projects, such as Kachemak Drive, Ocean Drive, Spit Trail, Main Street and East End Road many of these projects are or were State of Alaska roads. He does not feel that the State will change their process in how they determine a project’s priority. He does know the State does consider Public input and need. He does know that the City focused on Main Street and the Spit Trail and since the City offered to take over maintenance and offering to pay a percentage was the reason the trails mentioned were built. Actions like that he believed plus property owners saying they would give right away through their properties would be a strong incentive for the State to put a project on their list. Design, locate and constructing a walkway that the State will not remove in a future road expansion project would be a fun project and possible. Agreement from all parties concerned would be needed. Coordination between property owners, possible State involvement, City of Homer, etc would be required. Further discussion on the approximate cost of building a paved trail revealed the expense would use up HART funds for possibly the next twenty years. Public Works Director Meyer stated costs could be reduced if the Trail was not paved. He also gave suggestions for alternative methods of getting trails or paths done along State roads.

 

Public Works Director Meyer answered questions from the Commission on issues related to Karen Hornaday Park that were brought forth by resident Mrs. Beth Cummings. The safety issues that were also brought to Director Meyer’s attention regarded parking conditions. Public Works Director Meyer reminded the Commissioners that the Parks and Rec department did have limited funds and that issues were addressed on a priority basis. There was only approximately $25,000.00 earmarked each year. Not much you can do with that amount except take care of priority only issues.

Commissioners asked what amount would be comfortable to take care of the needs and possible expansions of the City’s current parks, Mr. Meyer said that a couple of hundred thousand a year would be nice. As an example, he stated that the last upgrade to a park was the playground equipment at Ben Walters Park and that took two years worth of budgets. Parks have not been high on the priority lists across the board.

 

 

PENDING BUSINESS                                                                      

 

A.                  Ten Acre parcel adjacent to Karen Hornaday Park

 

MCGREENERY/TENHOFF – MOVED TO BRING TO THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION.

 

Commissioner McGreenery stated that based on reports submitted by Planning Technician Engebretsen regarding steep slope ordinances, market values, and public comment the Commission should recommend not trading this property. Commissioner Bremicker agreed and added that the City should not trade off properties within the watershed. Chair Stewart offered that the property may be a good trail connection location.

 

BREMICKER/MCGREENERY – MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION TO RETAIN THE TEN ACRE PARCEL WITH KPB PARCEL NUMBER 17504003 UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS THERE ARE STEEP SLOPE REGULATIONS IN PLACE AND THERE IS LEGAL ACCESS TO THE LAND SO FULL MARKET VALUE AND PUBLIC INTEREST ARE KNOWN.

 

STEWART/MCGREENERY – MOVED TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION TO INCLUDE UNDER THE SIXTH “WHEREAS” THE LANGUAGE AND “A VALUABLE TRAIL CONNECTOR”

 

VOTE: YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

There is no further discussion on the amended main motion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.                  Park Day

 

MCGREENERY/TENHOFF – MOVED TO DISCUSS PARK DAY.

 

Commissioner McGreenery wanted to remind the Commission that she would not attend at the event but would definitely fulfill her obligations on the setup. Commissioner Bremicker asked if it was required to bring forth the decisions made at the Worksession to have them included for the record. Planning Technician Engebretsen did not feel that it was required at this time. There was agreement that no further discussion was needed.

 

C.                  CIP – Capital Improvement Plan

 

Special Projects Coordinator was scheduled to be a guest at this meeting but was booked somewhere else.

 

MCGREENERY/TENHOFF – MOVED TO DISCUSS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

 

Commissioner Bremicker wanted to postpone discussion until the next meeting when Special Projects Coordinator Holen is available.  Commissioner McGreenery withdrew her initial motion and Commissioner Tenhoff withdrew her second.

 

BREMICKER/TENHOFF – MOVED TO POSTPONE DISCUSSION OF THE CIP UNTIL NEXT MEETING.

 

Commissioner McGreenery had an objection to the motion; a roll call vote was taken.

 

VOTE: YES, BREMICKER, TENHOFF, STEWART

            NO, MCGREENERY

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMISSION BUSINESS               

 

A.                  Park Walk Through

 

MCGREENERY/BREMICKER – MOVED TO ADOPT THE PARK WALK THROUGH REPORT

 

VOTE:  YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.                  Beach Committee Report

 

Commissioner Bremicker reported that there is no report due to lack of a quorum for the last scheduled meeting. However, there will be one more meeting to finalize the Beach policy.

 

C.                  City Hall Town Plaza Committee Report

 

Commissioner McGreenery stated the goals and objectives of the committee. She commented that there is progress being made and that there are many in agreement on the appropriate location that will be recommended to City Council. This has not been formally agreed upon yet by the committee. Commissioner Tenhoff asked for clarification on the Town Center versus Town Plaza.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.                  Resolution from Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission recommending City Council consider a Large central Park in Town Center

B.                  Resolution from Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission recommending City Council focus on creating a Steep Slope Development Regulations

C.                  2007 Council Meeting Calendar

D.                 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Annual Calendar

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE STAFF

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen reminded the commissioners that even though they will have a meeting prior to the next Council Meeting any comments will not be forwarded or relayed in the packet. However, if one of the Commissioners attends the City Council meeting they could relay the Commissions opinions. Discussion regarding the issue of a proposed ordinance concerning motorized vehicles on the beach. 

 

            COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

            Commissioner McGreenery wanted to extend a thank you to Public Works Director Meyer for coming in and really giving some eye opening information regarding the Parks and Rec Department.

 

            Commissioner Bremicker wanted to thank Beth Cumming for coming in and speaking about the issues and thank Carey Meyer for his input and information on Karen Hornaday and Parks and Rec Department.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is assigned)

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Stewart thanked everyone for his or her assistance and work.

           

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chair Stewart adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2007 at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chamber located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska. 

 

 

 

                                                                       

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

Approved: