Session 04-03, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on March 18, 2004 at 7:35 p.m. by Chair Daugharty at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:              COMMISSIONERS:               WEAVER, POORE, LANGMAN,                                                                                       HAMIK, DAUGHARTY

 

                             STAFF:                             DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOHNSON

                                                                   SPECIAL PROJECT COORDINATOR HOLEN

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was amended to add Playground Equipment to COMMISSION BUSINESS and approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

 

The Regular Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2004 were corrected and approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

STAFF REPORT

VISITORS

 

Barb Seaman was present to speak of the prospect of a greenhouse.  She read a letter from Public Works Director Meyer dated March 21, 2002 regarding the City’s interest in a community greenhouse on the Poopdeck property.  Since that time the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust (KHLT) has purchased the Poopdeck Platt property and worked out an agreement with the Homer Community Garden.  There are eight to ten community organizations involved in the community garden and in the last year they have completed many projects including fixing fences, removing debris from the garden, setting up a play area and a kiosk, and started plants in the greenhouse.  The group meets regularly and by next year they plan to have a full garden program running to include educational information.  It is solely the Homer Community Garden’s project and a very worthwhile undertaking.  Another project that will get underway April 1st is to turn Poopdeck’s cabin into an office for the land trust.  The KHLT solicited bids for the work and Dave Stutzer was selected to complete the renovation on the cabin.  After fifteen years of renting, the KHLT will have a permanent home. 

 

Ms. Seaman said she believes the greenhouse is a great idea and perfectly suited for the Poopdeck property.  She said there are two city parcels of land in the same area and questioned if there would be any benefit working on the KHLT property rather than city property.  The KHLT property would provide closer proximity to the community garden and she thinks the KHLT would be open to collaboration of the greenhouse.  She added that greenhouses are great revenue generators for the cities they are in as not only do they produce annual flowers that the parks and recreation needs each year, but they are a place to go for lunch or have a wedding.  Ms. Seaman does not know what type of partnership the City and KHLT could work on, but indicated that the Town Center Development Committee (TCDC) is currently working on ideas for the development of that central area of town.  She added that the KHLT park plans are on hold until the TCDC makes a decision. 

 

Commissioner Poore said while in Anchorage last week she revisited the greenhouses that she had toured twenty years ago.  She said although their greenhouse is old and not fancy the part open to the public provided a comforting atmosphere in the middle of winter.  Ms. Poore would love to see a greenhouse much the same in Homer; a place for weddings, conferences and lunches.  She said some of the large produce gardeners in Eagle River are providing the Anchorage market place with fresh herbs throughout the winter. 

 

Chair Daugharty questioned the location of the KHLT and city lots and a map was provided with Ms. Seaman defining the lots for the Commission.  Ms. Seaman said the TCDC is hoping to see a civic anchor in the Town Square.  Other ideas for the Town Square location have been trails, better access and parking, restroom facilities, an amphi-theater or performing place, or a farmers market.  In response to Chair Daugharty’s question if she envisioned a partnership between the City and the KHLT and the adjoining three parcels, Ms. Seaman said that was a possibility with the shift of boundaries and changing the park’s base.  She said the KHLT is willing to see its Poopdeck property used in another way than a park if an equivalent amount of park space is dedicated.

 

Commissioner Hamik said the greenhouse has been on the CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) list.  Ms. Seaman stated that Carey Meyer, Public Works Director has been a champion of the greenhouse.  In her position with the KHLT she writes a lot of grants and the area for the greenhouse could be used as a match in the city grant fund.  There may be some trade outs or ways the KHLT could help see a grant come to the city.  She said in the long haul it may be better to think of a future City Hall with a greenhouse attached.  It is a need the city will have with the annual beautification projects and the growing of flowers each year.  Ms. Seaman believes there is a means to generate revenue through a greenhouse.     

 

In response to Chair Daugharty’s question as to how much land was needed to create a quality town square area, Ms. Seaman said that would depend on what he thought a town square was.  She said people consider the town square as a park and a place where there is a concentration of business.  While there are different opinions, her own feeling is that an area of green space is needed although a wilderness park is not needed in the center of town.  She said a busy people place is needed with activities and lawns for picnics and frisbees.  That does not require a lot of acreage and in looking at other communities when there is too much protected land it is not a valuable, vital common anymore.  Ms. Seaman said Anchorage’s town square is less than one acre and a lot happens there with events and other things.  She personally hopes the town square is far larger than an acre.  The TCDC has talked about six acres although she thinks that is too much unless it can be stretched out into a series of pocket parks.  She reminded the Commission that was only her opinion and the TCDC had not formed an opinion yet.  She said even her own views may change along the way after listening to the consulting groups.

 

Commissioner Poore asked for a letter from Carey Meyer, Public Works Director on his ideas for a community greenhouse.  Ms. Poore said she is a little vague on the Parks and Recreation Commission’s role in facilitating a greenhouse, but said the greenhouse seems like a worthy endeavor. 

 

Chair Daugharty said he is in agreement with a greenhouse but it appears the parcels need to be identified as adjoining land masses to create the Town Square of which the greenhouse would be part of.  He believes that instead of just trying to identify a greenhouse the bigger picture would be to pursue the addition of the two city parcels with the KHLT and identify that as the Town Square area.  Barb Seaman added that a convention center and city hall ideas would also be thought about in that acreage.  She said it may be appropriate for the Commission to forward their comments to the TCDC to provide more integration between the city groups.  Ms. Seaman said the next TCDC meeting is April 15th at 6:00 p.m.  The TCDC has formulated a lot of ideas, are placing things on the map and getting organized for some professional design help to refine the plan.  In response to Chair Daugharty’s question of what the TCDC is trying to design, Ms. Seaman answered that roads, right-of-ways, trails, and water and sewer issues are all being defined in the Town Square.  The Town Square encompasses approximately thirty acres of land including the CIRI (Cook Inlet Regional, Inc.) property and then up to Heath Street. 

 

Commissioner Weaver questioned if the TCDC’s goal was to have a landscape or design plan specific for each site.  Ms. Seaman said the plan will go through the Planning Commission and then to the public hearing process.  She said CIRI may decide it doesn’t want to make its plans yet, thus it may not all happen at once.  The professional consultant, the Chair of the Planning Commission and city staff will work through the process.   

 

Chair Daugharty would like to earmark the two city parcels that adjoin the KHLT properties and the CIRI lands and designate it as Town Square properties for development.  He said the most important part the Commission could do is to send it on to the City Council, giving the TCDC a green light to say that is your land.  Ms. Seaman said that the whole area has been designated as Town Square, Town Center project development area including the university parcel that was purchased by the City.  The city parcels will be used for city development to design a healthy downtown area.     

 

In response to the Commission’s question of what they could contribute to the process, Ms. Seaman said recommendations could be made that certain things were pursued such as a greenhouse or parks and recreation like things.  She said the TCDC could be urged of the greenhouse idea and it would give strength and credibility to the concept.  She said exploring partnership options with the City, and encouraging trails or parks within the plan would lend strength. 

 

Commissioner Weaver questioned if the City of Homer had a Parks and Recreation Plan typically recommended by the Parks and Recreation Association, a subset of the capital facilities plan for parks.  The Commission answered that they do not.  Mr. Weaver suggested that the standards of the American Parks and Recreation Association be consulted as to what would happen in the Town Center park. 

 

Commissioner Hamik requested a Worksession before the next regular meeting to focus on parks.  The Commission agreed that an extra meeting would be beneficial.   

 

Chair Daugharty said over the years the Parks and Recreation Commission has spun its wheels and have paid a trails organizer to provide a development plan although there has never been any support from the city administration.  The TCDC has come on the scene as a progressive group of individuals identifying one area and trying to carry a plan through.  There has never been a city staff member who has brought it all together and that is what is missing, a staff member who has taken all the ideas and put them into a logical and reasonable document.  The Commission has recommended Capital Improvement Projects, looked at trails, at park planning, at Town Square, but there has never been a whole incorporated Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan.  At the present time that is trying to be accomplished yet everyone is going in opposite directions.  Chair Daugharty said a plan was needed to incorporate the CIP, trails and everything else. 

 

In response to Barb Seaman’s question if the Parks and Recreation Commission had a budget, Chair Daugharty said a reserve fund was earmarked for capital development areas.  Ms. Seaman said a facilitator outside the group could figure out how to mesh more with the Planning Department, TCDC, and the Road Standards Committee.  She said the Comprehensive Plan that was recently updated could be used as the Commission’s bible where they could make priorities happen within it.

 

Commissioner Hamik said the City Council is a great group and receptive.  She said if people continue to attend the meetings with important issues the Council would be willing to help, but if no one shows up they have no way of knowing the needs.

 

Commissioner Langman suggested the Commission could research the needs individually and bring some ideas to the table.  Chair Daugharty said he would volunteer to go to the next City Council meeting and have a special Commission meeting with a staff member who is a policy maker and here to help us.  Commissioner Langman agreed a staff member providing direction and defining the mechanisms would be beneficial.  Commissioner Weaver added that he is both a retired City Manager and City Planning Director and would do what he could to help.  Commissioner Langman said Mr. Weaver’s knowledge of the steps to effectively accomplish work and his familiarity with city government would be beneficial to the Commission. 

 

Commissioner Weaver said he has worked in cities four times the size of Homer and staff was available to do things.  He said the Parks and Recreation group is fundamental with one park site within the Town Center.  He said a devising a work plan for the Commission listing what they want to accomplish in the next year would be beneficial. 

Clotho Spinner, landscape architect at DOWL Engineers, said she was working on the non-motorized plan for the City of Homer.  She said for the past twenty-five (25) years there has been a lot of work done on trails and there is some level of aggravation and frustration.  Ms. Spinner would like to offer DOWL’s current design as the end of planning and move forward to implementing the plan.  She said once the work is finished a body needs to carry the plan to fruition.  Ms. Spinner said with the Town Center and trails plan it is the opportune moment for the Commission to step up and see that the trails plan is followed through to completion. 

 

Ms. Spinner asked the Commission what they would like to accomplish and Commissioner Langman answered that she would like to see more effective trails that would flow throughout town.  In response to Ms. Spinner’s question how the plan would be best implemented, Commissioner Langman said a plan with mechanisms in place to apply the plan from A to Z would be needed.  Ms. Spinner said she needed to hear in reality whom would set the completed non-motorized transportation and trails plan into motion. 

 

Commissioner Hamik said Mimi Tolva, Margaret Seeley, and herself were members of the Trails Committee.  At one time the Committee had an office and a grant writer but has since lost available office space.  As a result of the absence of an office, the Committee is currently not active.  Presently their paperwork and office supplies are boxed and stored at various members’ houses making it difficult to write grants.  While they were active one of the accomplishments they made was obtaining the funding for the Poopdeck Trail.    Ms. Hamik believes if the Committee had an office it would restore their enthusiasm and fire.  She explained that the Committee saw a need for trails providing safe places for kids to travel in and out of town.  The Committee would call public meetings together and they were overflowing with people.  Department of Transportation (DOT) was invited to attend the meetings as was the project engineer from the Baycrest trail project.  While active the Trails Committee followed projects throughout town and offered their support.   

 

Commissioner Poore said the Parks and Recreation Commission was advisory and questioned if they would have more power if they were something more.  Chair Daugharty said the Commission’s function would have to be changed through city government.  Commissioner Weaver explained that the Commission is truly a Committee as they are restricted in their powers and are delegated by the City Manager.  Tasking administrative personnel is not the Parks and Recreation Committee’s role.

 

Chair Daugharty questioned Ms. Spinner as to why she would ask the Commission what they wanted when she already had guidelines of what was to be delivered to the City outlined in the non-motorized trail plan.  Ms. Spinner answered that a trails plan would not happen from the consultants outside, but rather with engaging the community and its members to get a plan that reflects the needs of the community.  Ms. Spinner said identifying a policy and an infrastructure system to help construction of trails become a reality is needed.  She questioned how Homer would get that done and what is in the policy that could be used.  She said plans go on a shelf until there is funding to update the plans.  She said if a group is not identified to carry charge it is a waste of money and time.  Ms. Spinner would like the plan to recommend the appropriate parties to take the project on whether that requires the city creating a bicycle pedestrian coordinator or a Commission to take the project forward.

 

Commissioner Langman would like the Parks and Recreation Commission to take on the project so it doesn’t get shelved.  She said after reading the Request for Proposals (RFP) on the trails project she was quite impressed with the scope of the proposal including the grant writing and mechanisms that would be used to facilitate the project.  Ms. Langman said someone has to make sure the proposal is carried through to completion. 

 

Ms. Spinner said she wants the plan to be successful as it is the right thing to do and she is being paid to have the plan fulfilled.  She said without a successful plan that is followed through she wouldn’t feel as though she’d met her professional obligations.  If the community is not ready to decide if the Commission or a new pedestrian/bicycle coordinator follow the plan through, DOWL would recommend that a new position be created or another task be added to a current position to follow the plan through. 

 

In response to Chair Daugharty’s question if the plan will connect parks and facilities to trails, Ms. Spinner answered that the RFP specifically states a network of non-motorized transportation routes that connect parts of the city.  She said as the architect for the design her job is to figure out where all of those routes are.  For the most part they have been documented, although corrections and additions have been made to identify all the important landmarks through a series of public meetings asking for input.  The public’s participation has helped to define the plan and assure that the special places are connected and that informal trails are made formal.  Ms. Spinner said Kenton Bloom has been taking her throughout the town and sharing his knowledge.  Part of her job consisted of reading all the prior project plans and policy manuals and assessing their recommendations for a non-motorized friendly community.  After spending time in Homer she sat down and fit the information together comparing it with the 1984 plan written by Tim Daugharty and Kenton Bloom.  Ninety (90) percent of that which was identified in the twenty-year-old plan is consistent with her findings now.  Ms. Spinner said she recognizes the great work that was previously accomplished and on a national level was way ahead of its time.

 

Chair Daugharty questioned how the City Council would be directed to appoint or dictate an administrator for the plan, and who would she appoint.  Mr. Daugharty said in past years there has never been anyone in the city staff that was designated as the prime motivator who would assure that the plan was followed through.  He said a city employee that is going to take the plan and make it happen is needed.

 

Ms. Spinner said although she did not feel comfortable naming a person specifically she did feel comfortable in the plan.  She said a staff member supporting the commission body is needed.  Special Projects Coordinator Holen said it would be great if Homer had a professional Parks and Recreation Director with a background in planning or parks and recreation development.  That person could serve as a staff person on the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Ms. Holen said as Homer grows there is more justification towards such a position.

 

Commissioner Hamik said if there were funds in the Parks and Recreation budget a director could be hired.  She suggested the Commission could ask the City Council for funding for a Parks and Recreation Director for next year.  Ms. Spinner suggested a grant could be written to help pay for a Parks and Recreation Director. 

 

The Commission thanked Ms. Spinner for attending the meeting and expressed their happiness at having her on the project.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

          A.       Trash Can Project               

 

Commissioner Hamik offered the space in her husband’s shop for preparation and painting of the trash cans.  Ms. Hamik suggested the Commissioners review the information on the trash cans provided by Commissioner McCallum[1] and defer it to next month’s agenda for discussion. 

 

Commissioner McCallum’s report will be added to next month’s agenda under The Trash Can Project under COMMISSION BUSINESS.

 

          B.       Follow-up on Trails Walkability and Trails Plan                                             

                   (Public Input Welcome)

 

Commissioner Poore provided copies of Walkability, the Community Conversation from the Pratt Museum.  She reported that Dan Burden did a PowerPoint presentation holding nearly 100 people spellbound offering design ideas used in other places to make the center of towns a more people friendly atmosphere.  Ms. Poore said when speed limits posted through town are too high, commerce drops.  When lower speeds are posted commerce increases.  The following day around 35 people spent four rainy hours walking through town looking at hot spots, trails, viewing the slick, icy, and inaccessible Poopdeck Trail, and viewing the hanging vandalized signs and the messages they portray.  Ms. Poore said there a lot of good information was presented and there is a foundation of interest in the community for Mr. Burden’s ideas.   

 

Commissioner Hamik agreed with Commissioner Poore’s description of Mr. Burden’s visit and added that she was pleased to have him as a guest at her bed and breakfast.  Additionally she said Mr. Burden was inspiring and sincere and truly passionate about his work.  In the Whalesong guest book he wrote, “The coordination of your Kenai and Homer setting, back to the earth people and generous hospitality combine to make this an essential stopping point on my journey to work in and inspire 2,000 communities these ten years of travel.  By the way, you are 1,542 along the path and I hope this is the first of many visits.”  Additionally Ms. Hamik said it was timely for Mr. Burden to be here when the DOWL group was here.  She also expressed her appreciation to Anne Marie Holen and Commissioner McCallum for delivering size 12 ice cleats for Mr. Burden’s excursions throughout town.

                            

          C.       Spring Planting Supplies/Fundraising

 

The Commission requested Spring Planting Supplies/Fundraising be deferred to next month’s agenda under COMMISSION BUSINESS.                                       

 

          D.       Memorandum from Deputy City Clerk, Re: Resolution 04-13(A)  

                   Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan        

 

Commissioner Langman noted her approval that the City Council took the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission to encourage public access trails and easements where feasible and prudent.  The Commission discussed the Council’s comments as to the Trails Session with DOWL Engineers and the impediment of creating trails in the area.  Commissioner Weaver clarified that the borough platting process outside cities does not consider native or traditional trails.  Additionally Mr. Weaver noted that the borough had recommended a one-mile extra-territorial platting area around the cities for future planning.     

 

          E.       Playground Equipment

 

Commissioner Hamik said there is a strong need for playground equipment in Ben Walters Park and Jeffery Park.  She would like to see the Commission recommend that $15,000 of the Reserve Fund pay for playground equipment and its installation this summer. 

 

Commissioner Poore said Jeffery Park has “eyes upon the park”, or homes nearby with people to watch it, whereas Ben Walters Park has no “eyes” and is vandalized frequently.  For those reasons Ms. Poore would support the purchase of playground equipment at Jeffery Park, but would not favor spending $7,000 at the Ben Walters Park.   

 

          F.       Ordinance 04-12, Appropriating $10,000 for Stocking the Fishin’ Hole From

                   the Parks and Recreation Reserve Fund

 

Commissioner Hamik said everyone loves the Fishin’ Hole but that it is inappropriate for the money to come from the Parks and Recreation Reserve Fund.  She said the money could be better used for the benefit of parks and recreation.  Commissioner Poore agreed that the money would be more appropriately spent on playground equipment or fences at the parks.

 

HAMIK/LANGMAN - MOVED THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION DOES NOT SUPPORT ORDINANCE 04-12.

 

Commissioner Hamik withdrew her motion and the following motion was presented:

WEAVER/LANGMAN – MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT ORDINANCE 04-12 NOT BE APPROVED FOR THIS FUNDING BECAUSE THE COMMISSION FEELS THAT EXPENDITURES FROM THE RESERVE FUND SHOULD BE FOR CAPITAL EXPENSES RATHER THAN OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURES.

 

Lou Stewart said both Jeffery Park and the Spit Park could use recreational equipment.  He said there is a pavilion set up next to Pier One that is not fully utilized and a playground could be created there.  

 

VOTE:  YES.  LANGMAN, DAUGHARTY, POORE, HAMIK, WEAVER

 

Motion carried.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

        A.       City Council Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2004 (approved)                                            

          B.       Certificate of Appointment from Mayor Cushing, Re: Appointment of

                   Kenneth Weaver to the Parks and Recreation Commission

                            

          C.       Memorandum 04-35 from Mayor Cushing, Re: Reappointment of

                   Cherish Bee McCallum to the Parks and Recreation Commission                        

          D.       “Expert Finds Mixed Bag of Walkability”, Re: Homer News 2/26/04         

 

          E.       Memorandum from Parks and Recreation Commission to Mayor Cushing

                   and City Council, Re: Recommendations of Parks and Recreation Commission

                   (Resolution 04-13(A) Kenai Peninsula Borough Comprehensive Plan)                           

          F.       Memorandum from Parks and Recreation Commission to City Manager Wrede,

                   Re: Land Bank Reserve                                                                          

 

          G.       Memorandum from Parks and Recreation Commission to City Manager Wrede

                   and Administrative Assistant Holen, Re: Recommendations for Karen          Hornaday Park                                                                                      

          H.       Letter from Lou Stewart to City Manager Wrede, Re: Drainage Ditch at Karen

                   Hornaday Park                                                                            

 

Lou Stewart questioned when the drainage ditch at Karen Hornaday Park would happen.  He said the area needed to be identified and tackled, as it is a health issue.  Mr. Stewart said the drainage from the ball fields east towards the hospital has not been maintained and the culvert up the campgrounds has been swept over.  Chair Daugharty said the drainage ditch has been in the plans for fifteen years and this may be the year it is remedied.  

 

COMMENTS OF AUDIENCE

 

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

 

Commissioner Poore welcomed new Commissioner Weaver on board and said it was exciting for her not to be the newest kid on the block anymore.  She said Mr. Weaver’s expertise can help the Commission work through the processes.  Additionally Ms. Poore thanked the visitors for their time and travel to Homer. 

 

Commissioner Langman said she appreciates Mr. Weaver joining the Commission and thanked the public for attending, adding that it was a good meeting. 

 

Commissioner Weaver thanked the Commission for putting up with him the first night and additionally thanked the public.

 

Commissioner Hamik welcomed Commissioner Weaver and said she appreciates the public and staff.  She would like to see Jo provide follow-up on the Land Bank and the gate entrance to the Karen Hornaday Park.   

 

Chair Daugharty thanked Mr. Stewart for coming and said he hoped he didn’t upset Ms. Spinner with being his obstinate self.  He thanked the Commission and welcomed Mr. Weaver, stating he was going to be a great addition.

 

A Worksession is scheduled for April 8, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Clerk’s office to discuss a work plan for the following year.    

 

ADJOURNMENT

A Worksession for discussion of a Parks and Recreation Work Plan is scheduled for April 8, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Clerk’s Office and the next Regular Meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

 

___________________________________

JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

 

___________________________________

APPROVED


[1] Commissioner McCallum, although not present, provided an informational memo to the Commissioners outlining plans and a schedule for preparing and painting new trash cans.