Session 07-02 a Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:35 pm on March 15, 2007 by Chair Stewart at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                   COMMISSIONER BREMICKER, HOWARD, MCGREENERY, STEWART

 

ABSENT:                    COMMISSIONER TOLVA, POORE (Both excused)

 

STAFF:                        PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

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

 

Chair Stewart advised the Commission that Student Representative Baechler had to leave early and has some comments. 

 

Ms. Baechler explained that she will be graduating this year and there is another high school student, Brittany Wyatt, who is interested in participating with the Commission as Student Representative.  Ms. Baechler was advised to have Ms. Wyatt contact the Clerk’s Office regarding paperwork to fill out and the Mayor could make the appointment. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.        January 18, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes                                                      

 

Chair Stewart noted a typographical error.

 

The minutes were approved as amended by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments.

 

STAFF REPORT

           

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

 

There was discussion regarding the Poopdeck Trail signs.  There has been discussion of moving them to the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust property; however it will be costly to remove and relocate them.  Leo Vait still owns the signs and is not interested in repairing them at their current location. 

 

There will be a worksession before the next meeting to review rules of order and meeting policies.  Planning Technician Engebretsen suggested the Commissioners send her any specific questions they may have so she can have answers for the worksession.

 

The Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee will meet on March 22nd.  There will be an open house April 25th at the high school.  Planning Technician Engebretsen said she would provide more information in the next packet.

 

Mrs. Engebretsen commented that House Bill 25 that addresses landowner liability with regard to trail usage has made it through the House but not the Senate yet.  She gave the Commission an update on the 10 acres that was proposed to be traded with a neighboring land owner and explained that the proposal that went to Council was turned down.  Mrs. Engebretsen encouraged the Commission to review the proposal and they will discuss it as an agenda item in April. 

                                                                                                                                   

VISITORS    

 

There were no visitors.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

There were no pending business items.

 

COMMISSION BUSINESS            

 

            A.        Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen Re: Park Day

 

HOWARD/MCGREENERY MOVED TO DISCUSS PARK DAY.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Student Representative Baechler suggested that there be more advertising at the high school for the event.  She thinks Park Day is a cool idea and more kids would get involved if they knew about it. She suggested a mini concert or a community softball game to help draw people in.  Ms. Baechler said it is a little late now, but in the future the National Honor Society is always looking for a spring project and this is something they could participate in. 

 

Some suggestions for Park Day events included:

·        Taking care of the planters at the viewing area on Baycrest Hill. 

·        Events at Jack Gist Park, including a community softball game and picnic.

 

Chair Stewart gave an overview of events of previous Park Days and the Commission briefly discussed potential time frames.

 

HOWARD/BREMICKER I MOVE THAT A PARK DAY COMMITTEE BE FORMED AND THE COMMITTEE MEET INSTANTLY, PERFORM MIRACLES AND COME BACK TO US IN APRIL WITH A PLAN.

 

The Commissioner’s discussed conflicts that they have with meeting before April 19th.  Commissioner Howard expressed her dissatisfaction, stating that she went to Council with her hand out asking for $1000 for Park Day and she does not want to have to return to Council and give the money back.  After further discussion Mrs. Howard withdrew her motion.

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen said she will talk to Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty about the planters at Baycrest Park and also about the fields at Jack Gist Park.  She will come back with two options for the Commission to discuss at the April meeting.

                         

            B.         Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen Re: Town Center 

 

BREMICKER/MCGREENERY SO MOVED TO DISCUSS ITEM B.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

The Commission discussed the Town Center.  Commissioner Bremicker expressed his concern that there needs to be a Central Park in the area.  He has seen the draft plans and recognizes that there are a few smaller open areas through out but he believes that it can be reorganized so the smaller parks can be combined into one large central park area.  He suggested the City look into land trades with CIRI if needed to facilitate the project. 

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen advised the Commission that there could be a proposal coming forward soon regarding the new City Hall and it could be one of the first developments in the Town Center.  She explained that when the library was being developed they had a site selection committee and that is something that could be considered as a way for the Commission to get involved with the development process in the area.  Mrs. Engebretsen said she would keep them advised so the Commission would be proactive as activity starts to occur. 

 

HOWARD/MCGREENERY MOVED TO HAVE STAFF PREPARE A RESOLUTION THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CENTRAL PARK IN THE TOWN CENTER PROJECT.

 

There was brief discussion in support of the motion.

 

VOTE:  YES:  STEWART, BREMICKER, MCGREENERY, HOWARD

 

Motion carried.

 

            C.        HART Policy Manual

 

Student Representative Baechler was excused at 7:32 pm.

 

MCGREENERY/BREMICKER MOVED TO OPEN DISCUSSION.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

It was noted the Commission had discussed having an inventory of maps that include trails inside City limits during their worksession.  Planning Technician Engebretsen commented that Lindsay Winkler, with Seabright Surveys, had given a greenways map to the City Manager earlier today.  Ms. Winkler commented that the map she provided to the City Manager includes proposed dedicated trails as well as existing trails from Baycrest to Bear Canyon.  She noted that she is not adding historical trails with out legal access due to liability issues. 

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen will have a map for their next meeting.

 

            D.        Beach Committee Report

 

The Committee did not meet on the 14th.  They scheduled their next meeting for April 18th.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

            A.        Ordinance 07-01(A) Amending Parks and Recreation Commission Duties

            B.         Resolution 07-03 Regarding Emerald Park                   

            C.        Resolution 07-04(A) Recognizing the EDC’s Recommendations for the Highest and Best Use of Mariner Park                                                                                    

            D.        Resolution 07-22(A) Regarding Parks and Recreation Commission Bylaws

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Lindsay Winkler commented to the Commission regarding Bike to Work Week and said she is involved with the committee that is putting the event together.  She gave a brief overview noting that last year there was a Bike to Work Day but this year they are making it a week long event to get more people involved.  She requested that the Commission consider discussing a proclamation or resolution on their next agenda in support of the event. She commented that the committee will be meeting again on March 29th at 5:00 pm at Latitude 59 if anyone would like to attend.

 

Ms. Winkler commented regarding the 10 acres adjacent to Hornaday Park that has been under discussion for a potential land trade by the City Council and a neighboring property owner.   She expressed her belief that there needs to be an access to the parcel along the rim of the canyon so there can be a connector trail along Woodard Canyon.  It is her understanding that the landowner would like a trail going through the creek bottom.  She advised the Commission that there is a soils report from NRCS that the soils down there are unsuitable for a trail.  Ms. Winkler said she would like to see the Commission become advocates for the Canyon Rim Trail.  There has been discussion regarding restoration of the slope area, but to what extent is unclear.  She noted that the restoration is important as the grade there has added a lot of sediment to Woodard Creek.

 

Lastly, Ms. Winkler commented regarding Park Day.  She encouraged the Commission to stay positive regarding the event and suggested they set up something easy that they can build on each year.  She also suggested that they don’t limit planning the event to the Commission as there are probably other people who would be willing to help out.    

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

Commissioners McGreenery and Howard had no comment.

 

Commissioner Bremicker thanked Commissioner Howard for her help in bringing things together during the meeting. 

 

Chair Stewart agreed with Mr. Bremicker and thanked everyone for being there. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for April 19, 2007 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chamber located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska. 

 

 

                                                                                   

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: